Israeli forces kill seven in West Bank

Israeli forces operating in the occupied West Bank killed at least eight Palestinians, including at least one child, in a 24-hour period, Palestinian health officials said Sunday, as a fragile pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip entered its third day.

The escalation of violence in Gaza is not disconnected from the violence in the West Bank. Around 3260 Palestinians detained by Israeli army in West Bank since Oct. 7, according to Palestinian Prisoners Club

Israeli settlers, empowered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, have increased their attacks on and harassment of Palestinian rural communities since the start of the war. This is often done with the backing of the Israeli military, as Israeli soldiers stand guard, preventing a Palestinian response. Sometimes, the attacks take place with the military’s involvement.

The Israeli policy is to simply disregard any Palestinian claims to a national home and instead support settler violence to further Israel’s expropriation of Palestinian land. It is a policy of nonengagement with the issues animating the conflict, relying on coercion to achieve Israeli goals of full annexation.

When the peace process is discussed, the Israeli government states there is no partner for peace and that the Palestinians are unable to govern themselves, a narrative that suits the overarching goal of ignoring Palestinian aspirations.