The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has raised alarms over the escalating crisis in the occupied West Bank, warning that the region is increasingly becoming a "battlefield" due to large-scale Israeli military operations. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, described the situation as a "worrying extension of the war in Gaza," highlighting the severe toll on Palestinian civilians, with over 50 killed since the start of the year.  

Lazzarini emphasized the systematic destruction of public infrastructure, including roads, and severe restrictions on access, which have become routine. He noted that around 40,000 individuals, many from refugee camps in the north, have been forcibly displaced. Essential services have been disrupted, with over 5,000 children deprived of education for more than 10 weeks due to the destruction of camps. Patients are unable to access healthcare, families lack basic necessities like water and electricity, and an increasing number of people now rely on humanitarian aid. However, relief organizations, already overstretched, face critical resource shortages.  

The Israeli army has launched its largest and longest military operation in the northern West Bank in nearly two decades, expelling tens of thousands of Palestinians from three refugee camps and barring them from returning home. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have intensified attacks across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, resulting in over 915 Palestinian deaths, around 7,000 injuries, and 14,500 arrests, according to Palestinian data.  

Lazzarini’s statement underscores the dire humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict, calling for urgent international action to address the growing needs of affected communities. As the situation deteriorates, the burden on humanitarian organizations grows, highlighting the urgent need for sustained support and intervention. This alarming escalation raises concerns about the long-term impact on civilian life and infrastructure, further complicating prospects for peace and stability in the occupied territories.