September 16, 2024 News

How the West Bank is affected by the war in Gaza

More than 11 months have passed since the conflict in the Gaza Strip escalated. The war is also hitting hard on the West Bank region. Since 7 October, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured. Tensions and violence in the area are steadily increasing, depriving civilians not only of their lives, but also of their jobs and shelter. In the West Bank, as in Gaza, Caritas is also helping.

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People are losing their lives, their homes and their livelihoods

In the past month of August alone, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least one Palestinian in the West Bank every day, according to the UN. Since last October, more than 5,000 local residents have been injured. The situation worsened after Israeli forces launched intensive night airstrikes in the West Bank, targeting the areas of Jenin and Tulkarm.

"Violence between people from the settlements and Palestinians has also increased significantly in the West Bank," says Kateřina Velíšková from Caritas Czech Republic, who recently visited the region. According to Velíšková, the impact of the war in Gaza on the West Bank is enormous.

"Because of the war, tourists, who normally numbered in the hundreds of thousands, are not coming. For example, Bethlehem, which lived mainly on tourism, was economically affected. Many shops are closed, people have no source of income, and in the West Bank the situation is even worse," explains Kateřina Velíšková, adding that people who used to go to Israel to work have had their work permits stopped or severely restricted.

Almost immediately after the brutal attack on Israelis by the Hamas movement, the Israeli government announced the suspension of work permits for nearly 150,000 Palestinians from the West Bank. Many of them have lost their jobs and have no way to earn a living. Because of the ongoing war in Gaza, unemployment in the West Bank has risen to 32 per cent. People who have not lost their jobs often work part-time or have had their salaries cut significantly.

Restrictions on movement and escalating violence are depriving local residents of their livelihoods and preventing farmers from accessing their fields, with serious socio-economic consequences for the already impoverished population in the occupied Palestinian territory.

Escalation of violence and attacks on health workers in the West Bank

Violence is escalating in the West Bank and the security situation is deteriorating. Arbitrary detentions and house demolitions are taking place. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), between 7 October and mid-August, Israeli authorities demolished, confiscated or forced the demolition of almost 1,600 Palestinian structures across the West Bank. This has left more than 4,000 Palestinians homeless, including approximately 1,600 children. Since October, there has also been a significant increase in violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

"People are dying not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank. Locals are suffering from a lack of food, water and safe shelter," says Kateřina Velíšková from Caritas Czech Republic. The situation in the West Bank is alarming, with violent incidents occurring almost daily.

Humanitarian organisations also report daily attacks on medical facilities and blocking of ambulances. In its June report, the World Health Organisation reported that since October there have been 480 attacks on health care in the West Bank, resulting in 16 deaths and 95 injuries. Attacks have affected 54 health facilities, 20 mobile clinics and 319 ambulances. Health workers face attacks and detention, are often prevented from accessing health facilities and are subjected to military searches.

Growing tensions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are also impacting the mental health of thousands of children and families who now live in daily fear for their lives. According to the UNICEF report, children in the West Bank report that they are afraid to walk outside and around their homes or travel to school.

Since 7 October, more than 600 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. According to the UN, 15 Israelis have also been killed in attacks in the West Bank, including 9 members of the Israeli forces and 5 settlers.

Caritas helps in the West Bank and Gaza

Caritas has been helping civilians in the West Bank. Our partner organisation, Caritas Jerusalem, has been helping in 30 villages as well as in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank. Together with Catholic Relief Services, it has provided basic humanitarian and medical assistance, including psychosocial support.

Caritas has also helping to repair destroyed shelters in the area. It provides cash assistance to help people affected by the conflict to buy basic necessities. Caritas Jerusalem has also supported farmers who have lost access to their fields.

Local NGOs that employ people with specific requirements in Bethlehem also received support. Bethlehem, which depends on tourism, has lost a huge number of tourists due to the war, and many locals have lost a source of income. Caritas supports the most vulnerable among them.

Caritas has also been helping in the Gaza Strip since the conflict began to escalate, despite the dire conditions. In addition to providing medical care in makeshift conditions, our colleagues at Caritas Jerusalem are also helping to provide basic humanitarian needs. Caritas also provides important psychosocial assistance. In cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem, Caritas Czech Republic will provide medical care for 5,000 civilians. This is another mutual cooperation to help the affected civilians. The provision of medical assistance in Gaza is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Caritas Czech Republic has long called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the provision of adequate humanitarian aid.