While the world has been watching the war and devastating humanitarian crisis unfold in the Gaza Strip, escalating violence in the West Bank — around 70 miles away — is also taking a huge toll on communities.
More than 475 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territory so far this year as of Dec. 14 — 276 since Oct. 7 alone, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, or UNOCHA. Two-thirds of fatalities have occurred during search-and-arrest military operations. Four Israelis — including three members of Israeli forces — have also been killed. More than 1,200 Palestinians in the territory have been displaced from their homes.
The surge in violence is also impacting aid organizations’ ability to work in the fragmented territory.