In the occupied West Bank, the war continues

"Israeli settlers and soldiers continue to terrorise Palestinian communities in preparation for annexation. It has been a week since the ceasefire was announced in Gaza. When we heard the news in the occupied West Bank, we celebrated. We felt relief and hope that the genocide is finally over. But we also realised that there is no ceasefire for us. The daily violence we have been subjected to for decades is showing no signs of abating."

"After the ceasefire deal was announced, a friend's little daughter cheered; she then asked to go with her grandparents to pick olives. He told her that it would be difficult to do, to which she responded, Why? Isn't the war over? How do you explain to a child that the war ending in Gaza does not mean Palestinian families in the West Bank still can access their land to harvest olives?"

"People still cannot reach their groves because of barriers set up by the Israeli military or they fear attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers, or both. There are daily violent assaults on Palestinian farmers and their land. Since October 7, 2023, there have been 7,154 attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestian people and property some of them deadly. Almost 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army and settler mobs, including 212 children; more than 10,000 Palestinians have been displaced."

Violence and restrictions against Palestinians in the West Bank have intensified since October 7, 2023, with settlers and soldiers terrorising communities and preparing for annexation. The Gaza ceasefire did not end attacks in the West Bank, leaving families unable to reach groves or safely harvest olives due to military barriers and fear of assaults. Since October 7 there have been 7,154 settler attacks, almost 1,000 Palestinians killed including 212 children, more than 10,000 displaced, and 37,237 olive trees destroyed. Urban life is similarly constrained by checkpoints, iron gates, a military tower and barriers that severely limit travel and access to services.

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