Violence by settlers, soldiers kills youth in West Bank

“The raids have not stopped,” he explains MahmoudFrom Deheisha refugee camp Belen. “Today, soldiers entered the field twice, at four o’clock in the morning and at ten o’clock in the morning,” says the 32-year-old barber, who spent four of them in prison. Hours before this speech, a young man living in the countryside was killed by the bullets of the Israeli army. There were two deaths the previous day. “And so every day,” he says despairingly. That’s why none of these five young people from rural areas hesitate to admit it. they were happy Seeing what Hamas did that Saturday changed their fate, too. “This is our right”to defend Jalil, 30 years old. “We are used to it in the West Bank” daily deaths He condemned this newspaper by saying “our citizens”.

However, the increase in violence in Gaza once again revealed the lives of thousands of people. tentacles What Israeli occupation. For example, Halil hasn’t been able to go to work since everything started. He is a transporter and although he lives in the countryside near the city of Bethlehem, he has to go to Hebron, about 30 kilometers south. most The road is blocked and multiple security controls hinder the movement of the local population. These movement restrictionsfloors are added military raidsmass arrests and violence by settlers and soldiers. “The situation is getting worse and many more children will die,” says Khalil.

1,070 arrests

“No matter what you do, they will arrest you and they put you in jail“, condemns this Barça fan. “If you ‘like’ a post on Facebook or If you write ‘I am with Gaza’ they will arrest you” he explains to EL PERIÓDICO of the Prensa Ibérica group. Israeli forces have detained approximately 1,070 people in the West Bank since October 7, including people with whom they are alleged to have ties. Hamas connection. Added to this are more than 4,000 Gazan workers with permission to enter Israel, who were detained by the war when the war caught them in enemy territory and Israeli authorities detained them. There are these actions Number of Palestinian prisoners in prisons doubles Israelis We will reach 10,000 prisoners in two weeks.

Additionally, regarding impunity colonialists he let them He shot and killed at least 10 Palestinians with almost no consequences. They also managed to secure the closure of some Palestinian villages adjacent to Israeli colonies, which is illegal under international law. population decreased these days. Citizens fear that going out on the streets will mean a death sentence. According to the report of the Humanitarian Aid Coordination Office United Nations 1,105 pastors issued in September, approx. 12.5% ​​of this populationleft their home in the West Bank last year.

Despite their unstable situation, Palestinians in these areas did not hesitate. Help your Gazan brothers Those stranded in Israel. The majority of 18,000 Gazans have work permits In the Hebrew State, those who escaped Israeli detention are now housed in cells and community centers in the occupied West Bank. Finding it difficult to work in the current context, Mahmud, Khalil and their friends began coordinating aid at the headquarters of Deheisha camp.

In recent months, many young people have decided to respond to Israel’s continued aggression: creation of armed groupsLike the Lion’s Den or the Black Cave. “We do not have weapons like in Jenin and Nablus, but we are not against terrorism either.” armed resistance”explains Mahmud. Adding to the ongoing violence is the impunity of the Israeli colonial regime. Destroy Palestinian homes and make more room for Israeli citizenship. Settlers took advantage of the chaos through constant attacks. deport Palestinians Pastoral communities Israel planned 12,855 new housing units in Palestinian territory in 2023 alone, which is illegal under international law. What year is this more settlements confirmed Since 2012.

“PA is part of Israel”

Thanks to this freedom, Israeli authorities can act freely. lack of opposition by their Palestinian counterparts. “While everything is going on in Gaza, we have not heard a single word or received any help from the Palestinian Authority (PA), we are not happy with what they are doing, which is nothing,” Mahmoud said. he condemned. “Today the Palestinian Authority is like a part of Israel because help the Israelis” he points out to this newspaper. “We want this authority to change and stop serving its own interests and the Israelis. national institution Really,” Khalil demands. During the recent protests following the bombing of the Al Ahli hospital in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian youth in major cities of the West Bank clashed with Palestinian Authority forces who suppressed the demonstrations.

“We do not believe that we will encounter such a situation if this war ends.” peace or our independence” explains Bashar, when he gets the opportunity after recruiting new Gazans. “We have problems every day, there is no security here,” he says, while everyone shakes their heads. “On the contrary, maybe if the war in Gaza continues, we will have fewer soldiers here,” he says dissatisfied. This is Mahmoud He is very clear on the subject. “We do not want peace with the Israelis, it is either homeland or death,” he defends, giving way to silence. The cups are filled with coffee again. The smoke does not disperse. Meanwhile, hours pass. a reality that is not so different from one a few weeks ago. But now, unfortunately, they are accompanied more often.