The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has issued a stark warning: Israel’s “genocidal violence” is no longer confined to Gaza and is rapidly spreading to the West Bank. In a statement released earlier this week, Albanese cautioned that Palestinians across the occupied territories are at risk of extermination, urging the international community to take immediate action.
Israel’s military assault on the West Bank has escalated sharply, marking the largest offensive in the area in decades. Over the past two weeks, Israeli forces have launched a series of military raids that have claimed at least 29 Palestinian lives, including five children. These deaths come on top of more than 620 Palestinians killed in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.
Albanese warned that the Israeli government’s operations in the West Bank are part of a broader strategy of “elimination, replacement, and territorial expansion.” She stressed that the same genocidal practices seen in Gaza are now being deployed in the West Bank, with entire communities being wiped out.
“The writing is on the wall,” Albanese said in her statement. “No Palestinian is safe under Israel’s unfettered control.”
Israeli settlers, with the backing of the military, have dramatically increased their illegal land seizures across the West Bank. The BBC recently reported that 29 new Israeli settlements were established last year alone, more than in any previous year. Currently, there are at least 196 settlements in the occupied West Bank, many of which have been set up on land unlawfully confiscated from Palestinians.
Israeli forces have also systematically targeted civil infrastructure in Palestinian communities. In Jenin, Israeli military bulldozers destroyed water networks and triggered power outages, further destabilizing the area. Human rights organizations, such as Defense for Children International–Palestine, have condemned Israel’s actions as war crimes. The group described how Israeli soldiers seized Palestinian homes, turning them into military bases, and positioned snipers on rooftops, putting Palestinian civilians in danger.
These escalating actions have heightened concerns that unless a cease-fire is implemented, Israel’s current assault on Gaza may soon spread to all occupied Palestinian territories, potentially igniting a regional conflict.
Albanese’s warning comes on the heels of her May 2023 report, which concluded there are “reasonable grounds to believe” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The legal definition of genocide includes acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Israel’s repeated targeting of civilians, the destruction of infrastructure, and the mass displacement of Palestinians fits squarely into this definition, according to the UN rapporteur.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently hearing genocide charges against Israel, a case led by South Africa. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is also weighing the possibility of issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and several Hamas leaders.
Despite these mounting accusations, Western governments and corporations continue to support Israel’s military operations. The United States, Israel’s largest ally, has provided billions of dollars in military aid, with shipments of arms continuing even as global outcry grows. The Biden administration has also used its power at the United Nations Security Council to block cease-fire resolutions.
Albanese criticized the international community for enabling Israel’s actions, stating that “the long-standing impunity granted to Israel is enabling the de-Palestinization of the occupied territory.” She called on both state and non-state actors, including corporations and financial institutions, to “immediately end the risk of genocide” and ensure accountability for Israel’s actions.
Several international voices are echoing Albanese’s call for urgent action. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, argued in a recent article that the United States must dramatically change its approach. Zogby advocated for halting arms sales to Israel and recognizing Palestinians’ right to self-determination. “This will force an internal debate in Israel, empowering those who want peace,” Zogby wrote.
The growing violence has sparked concerns of a broader regional conflict. David Hearst, co-founder of Middle East Eye, warned that the conditions are ripe for an escalation that could involve Hezbollah and Iran. Hearst described the volatile mix of factors: an ultra-nationalist Israeli government, a U.S. administration reluctant to challenge Netanyahu, and Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank unwilling to surrender.
Hearst’s assessment is shared by many experts, who fear that Netanyahu’s government will continue to prolong the war. There are also widespread accusations that Netanyahu is using the war as a political strategy to maintain power. He is currently facing trial for corruption and could be jailed for up to 10 years if convicted.
While the Biden administration continues to support Israel, some European governments are starting to take a different approach. The UK recently suspended several arms export licenses to Israel, although critics argue that this move is insufficient. Zarah Sultana, a member of the UK Parliament, called for a complete arms embargo, stating, “When Israel is carrying out a genocidal assault in Gaza, we shouldn’t just ban a small fraction of arms licenses.”
Still, the pressure on Israel remains largely symbolic without broader international sanctions. Albanese emphasized that the international community must act swiftly: “We must ensure accountability and ultimately end Israel’s colonization of Palestinian territory.”
“The writing is on the wall, and we cannot continue to ignore it,” warned Albanese. “We must ensure accountability and ultimately end Israel’s colonization of Palestinian territory.”
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