The United Nations Peace Coordinator for the Middle East, Tor Wennesland, voiced his anger on Friday regarding what he described as “provocations and lack of accountability for crimes” committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their properties.
Tor Wennesland United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process-Image Source: Al Jazeera
Wennesland’s statement, released via the United Nations Committee for the Rights of the Palestinian People’s platform, strongly condemned the attack carried out by Israeli settlers in Hawara. The statement was further referenced by the “Arab World” news agency.
The UN official added, “Israel must ensure the protection of civilians and hold those responsible for the violence accountable.”
I condemn the attack by Israeli settlers against Palestinians & their property in Huwwara. Outraged by continued incitement, provocations, & lack of accountability 4 these violent crimes. Israel must ensure that the civilian popul. is protected, & perpetrators r held to account👇 pic.twitter.com/wpwLek6oVR
— Tor Wennesland (@TWennesland) October 6, 2023
Earlier on Friday, the European Union also expressed its concern over the escalating violence in Hawara, emphasizing the necessity of accountability and civilian protection.
On the same day, Palestinians organized an angered procession during the funeral of a 19-year-old boy, reportedly shot by Israeli forces following disturbances caused by Jewish settlers in the West Bank town the previous night, as per Associated Press.
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بمراسم عسكريّة، قوات الأمن الوطنيّ تُشيّع جثمان الشهيد لبيب محمد ضميدي (19 عاماً) الذي إرتقى برصاص مستوطن في بلدة حوارة جنوب نابلس. pic.twitter.com/db6iefPFLQ— 🇵🇸 فتح FATEH حركة 🇵🇸 (@fatehgaza) October 6, 2023
This recent killing, occurring amid heightened tensions during the Jewish holiday season, is part of an increased Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has resulted in approximately 200 Palestinian deaths this year – the highest annual death toll in nearly two decades.
Around 30 individuals in Israel have been killed in Palestinian attacks during this period.
🎥 جانب من المواجهات التي اندلعت بين شبان فلسطينيين وقوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي في بلدة حوارة جنوب نابلس pic.twitter.com/cr1Hkav9rA
— فلسطين أون لايـن (@F24online) October 6, 2023
The Israeli military reported that its soldiers fired at a Palestinian who was throwing stones at an Israeli vehicle. However, locals in Hawara state that an Israeli settler shot at a student from the nearby Palestine Technical University, specialized in graphic design, killing him while he observed street clashes from his home’s rooftop.
Following a Palestinian shooting at an Israeli car driver near Hawara on Thursday, crowds of Israeli settlers reportedly entered the town. Hawara’s Mayor, Mueen Damidi, claimed that dozens of settlers caused chaos, setting at least three cars on fire, damaging windows of six houses, and firing gunshots.
