Kathmandu— Six Palestinians, including two paramedics, were injured during a series of attacks by Israeli forces and settlers across the Nablus and Bethlehem governorates on Friday. The incidents involved physical assaults, stone-pelting at medical vehicles, and the vandalism of property, contributing to a significant rise in violence documented by Palestinian officials throughout the year.

Violence in Nablus and Bethlehem

In the Nablus governorate, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) reported that crews treated a man beaten by Israeli forces in Beit Furik, east of Nablus. Following the assault, the man was arrested, and the PRCS is currently coordinating with the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure access to him.

In the same town, settlers vandalized a Palestinian-owned vehicle. Meanwhile, in the Bethlehem area, three Palestinians were wounded after settlers attacked vehicles in the Abu Njeim area. An ambulance crew responding to casualties in the Khalayel al-Louz area was also targeted, with two paramedics injured and the vehicle damaged after being pelted with stones.

Escalating Regional Tension

These Friday incidents follow a week of intensive Israeli military raids across the West Bank, including a recent two-day operation in the Qalandiya refugee camp that resulted in 48 injuries.

Palestinian monitors have documented more than 11,000 attacks across the West Bank since January. Since the start of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023, Palestinian officials state that Israeli forces and settlers have killed at least 1,182 Palestinians, injured approximately 13,000, and arrested nearly 25,000 people in the occupied territories.

International Human Rights Concerns

Rights groups have accused the accelerated violence of being intended to deepen Israel's control over Palestinian towns and villages. The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) noted that settlers and Israeli forces frequently attack families, burn mosques, and destroy or confiscate property.

OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stated that movement restrictions have become tighter than ever and emphasized the need for international action. "With attacks by Israeli settlers, and the creation of settlements and outposts hitting an all-time high, third States must act urgently and in unison to halt the continuing killing and dispossession of the Palestinian people," Shamdasani said.

The United Nations continues to call for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank to prevent further dispossession and violence.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.