SAFA -  The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has called for the urgent deployment of an international protection mission to the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza following reports that Israeli settlers assaulted an elderly Palestinian man with a disability.

Albanese’s call came after video footage emerged from Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, appearing to show a group of young Israeli settlers attacking Palestinian farmers on their land.

The footage appeared to show the settlers assaulting Saeed al-Amour, an elderly Palestinian man with a disability, highlighting concerns over escalating violence against vulnerable Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

“An international protection presence in the West Bank/East Jerusalem and Gaza is absolutely urgent," Albanese wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The U.N. expert also cited an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israeli presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, arguing that third countries have a legal obligation to take steps to end Israel's unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian territories.

“Third states have an obligation, per the ICJ, to act to end Israel's unlawful occupation,” Albanese said.

She also criticized the continuing paralysis of the U.N. Security Council, which has repeatedly struggled to take binding action on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict because of vetoes by permanent members.

Albanese questioned whether the U.N. secretary-general’s “good offices” and the General Assembly’s “Uniting for Peace” mechanism could be mobilized to overcome the Security Council’s deadlock and strengthen international efforts to protect Palestinian civilians and ensure accountability.

The incident in Masafer Yatta comes amid a broader increase in Israeli settlers’  attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused Israeli settlers of carrying out attacks with little fear of prosecution, while stating that Israeli occupation forces didn't intervene to protect Palestinian residents.

The Israeli violence has particularly affected Palestinian farmers and communities living near Israeli settlements and outposts, where residents have reported repeated assaults, property damage, and restrictions on access to agricultural land.

Albanese’s appeal comes as international concern continues to grow over the deteriorating security situation in the occupied Palestinian territories due to Israeli violence and attacks, with mounting calls for stronger international measures to protect Palestinian civilians and uphold international law.