SEAToday.com, Geneva -  United Nations (UN) Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Tuesday (6/4) condemned the killing of more than 500 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) and settlers.

Türk renewed his call for an immediate end to the deadly violence in the occupied territory, which has escalated significantly since October 7. He also urged accountability for the over 500 deaths of the Palestinians. 

“It is unfathomable that so many lives have been taken in such a wanton fashion,” the High Commissioner declared.

The statement highlighted the recent deaths of 16-year-old Ahmed Ashraf Hamidat and 17-year-old Mohammed Musa Al Bitar near the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in Jericho. According to the UN Human Rights Office, their deaths brought the total number of Palestinians killed by the ISF in the West Bank to 505. 

Monitoring by the office revealed how the ISF “used lethal force as a first resort” against Palestinians with non-lethal weapons like rocks and bottles. The report also documented an increase in planned targeted killings and systematic denial of medical assistance to injured Palestinians.

Türk emphasized the urgent need to enforce international law and ensure accountability for these crimes. He warned that the occupied West Bank has become a place where such violations occur with impunity. “Any allegation of unlawful killings must be thoroughly and independently investigated and those responsible held to account,” he stated.