SAFA- Canada has condemned the escalation of settler attacks in the occupied West Bank, reaffirming its opposition to continued Israeli settlement expansion and stressing that settlements are illegal under international law.

In a statement published Wednesday on the social media platform X, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the ongoing violence in the West Bank, referring to the repeated attacks carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The ministry emphasized the need to halt Israeli settlement expansion, stating that the continued construction and growth of settlements in the occupied West Bank constitute a violation of international law.

“These settlements are illegal under international law,” the ministry said, reiterating Ottawa’s longstanding position against settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

There are some 750,000 settlers living in 156 settlements and 360 settlement outposts in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Concerns are rising about rising violence and settlement expansion across the West Bank.

The same data indicates that since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian territories have witnessed more than 56,235 attacks by various parties, including the uprooting of approximately 56,500 trees.

Settler attacks alone reportedly totaled around 12,500 incidents during the period, resulting in the killing of 52 Palestinians, the setting of nearly 800 fires, and the establishment of 200 new settlement outposts.

At the official Israeli level, 524 settlement master plans were discussed, approximately 60,000 dunams of Palestinian land were confiscated, and around 4,600 Palestinian homes and structures were demolished.

The data further states that more than 1,180 Palestinians have been killed, over 13,000 injured, and approximately 24,000 arrested in the occupied territories since October 2023. In addition, 82 Palestinian communities have reportedly been forcibly displaced during the same period.