UNRWA Warns of Rising Violence and Forced Displacement in the West Bank: Implications for Investors and Businesses in the Region
Al-Quds, July 5 – Roland Friedrich, the UNRWA Director in the West Bank, has issued a warning about the alarming deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Kherbat Um al-Khair and Masafer Yatta in southern Hebron. This decline is occurring amid escalating vandalism by settlers, an increase in demolition orders, and actions that could lead to the imminent forced displacement of hundreds of Bedouin families.
Friedrich noted that for several years, Palestinian refugees in Um al-Khair, located in the hills south of Hebron and adjacent to the Karmeil settlement, have faced harassment and violence from settlers. This includes home demolitions and administrative measures that undermine the lives of this Bedouin community, which receives services from UNRWA.
He added that tensions have risen in recent days, with armed settlers entering the community both day and night, vandalizing property, and attempting to expand the settlement’s fence into Um al-Khair’s territory. “This comes at a time when Palestinian communities in the neighboring area of Firing Zone 918, near Masafer Yatta, face the threat of displacement, affecting 200 families comprising around 1,200 individuals, including 500 children. According to international law, these settlements are illegal.”
Remote Bedouin and pastoral communities like Um al-Khair and all of Masafer Yatta are at imminent risk of forcible displacement. This situation reflects a broader trend in the West Bank, characterized by land grabs in Area C, increased settler violence, and rising impunity, leading to conditions that raise significant concerns about the forcible transfer of populations.
Friedrich emphasized that Israel, as an occupying power, bears the responsibility of protecting these Palestinian communities from settler violence and ensuring accountability for the perpetrators.
Under international law, there must be a halt to the demolition of private property and an end to the escalation of forced displacement. It is also imperative to guarantee that Bedouin and pastoral communities, which have lived on these lands for generations, can do so with dignity and security.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The alarming humanitarian situation in Kherbat Umm al-Khayr highlights significant risks for businesses in Oman, particularly those involved in regional trade and investment. The escalating violence and potential displacement of local populations may disrupt supply chains and create instability in neighboring areas. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should closely monitor these developments and consider diversifying interests away from high-risk zones to ensure sustainable growth and risk mitigation.
Source: Oman News
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