On Monday, the Palestinian Authority decided to completely halt all security coordination with Israel.
This announcement was prompted by the extensive military operation undertaken by Israel in the Jenin refugee camp, which tragically resulted in at least nine deaths and numerous injuries.
Simultaneously, Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, voiced his concerns on Monday regarding the current escalation of conflict in the West Bank, labeling it as “gravely serious.” He expressed his ongoing direct engagement with all parties involved in an effort to alleviate the volatile situation.
Wennesland aired his concerns on Twitter, stating, “The current intensification of conflict in the occupied West Bank is gravely serious, emerging after months of escalating tensions.” He added that these tensions starkly remind us of the “highly unstable and volatile situation throughout the occupied West Bank. It is incumbent on everyone to ensure the safety of civilians.”
He also revealed that “from the outset, I have been in direct contact with all the stakeholders with the intent to urgently de-escalate the situation and to ensure that humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and other critical supplies reach Jenin.”
On the same day, the Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed the death of nine Palestinians and injuries to 28 others, some critically, as a result of the Israeli military action in the city of Jenin and its refugee camp, as well as gunfire incidents in the city of Al-Bireh.
The Ministry further detailed that three of the fatalities were due to shelling and warned that the death toll might increase due to the presence of individuals with critical injuries.
