Kathmandu— Israeli forces arrested at least 23 Palestinians and demolished multiple homes on Tuesday amid escalating violence in the occupied West Bank, as the United Nations warned that the situation is reaching a critical juncture. The raids and demolitions occurred alongside continued attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages, resulting in injuries and property damage. According to UN figures, Israel has been demolishing an average of 122 Palestinian structures each month this year, displacing hundreds of people. The escalating tensions come as Israel prepares for parliamentary elections in October.

Recent Arrests and Demolitions

On Tuesday, Israeli forces detained at least 23 Palestinians, including two children—one with a disability—and a man grazing livestock in the Jordan Valley. Eleven arrests occurred in the Jenin governorate, while five were made in the Bethlehem area. In Tal, southwest of Nablus, the home of Farouq Ramadan, one of four Palestinians killed during a confrontation with Israeli settlers on July 24, was demolished by Israeli forces. Two Israelis also died in that incident. Israel maintains a policy of demolishing homes belonging to relatives of those involved in attacks against Israelis, a practice condemned by human rights groups as collective punishment.

Settler Violence and Infrastructure Damage

Dozens of settlers attacked Palestinians working their land in Al-Mughayyir, wounding six people including three children and two women. Settlers reportedly burned parts of the valley and targeted nearby homes. Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reported that over 60 percent of Al-Mughayyir's land has been confiscated by the Israeli army, with at least eleven illegal outposts established in the village restricting farmers’ access to their land. In Khirbet Ras al-Ahmar, settlers destroyed parts of a water pipeline, cutting off supplies to approximately 30 Palestinian herding families and farms.

UN Raises Concerns Over ‘De Facto Annexation’

Addressing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov stated that the West Bank is at a “breaking point.” He reported that 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied territory this year. Approximately 3,800 Palestinians—nearly half of them children—have been displaced due to settler violence, demolitions, and evictions. Alakbarov noted over 1,430 settler attacks resulting in casualties or property damage across roughly 260 Palestinian communities since 2026, often occurring with the presence of Israeli forces. He also stated that Israeli authorities have advanced or approved approximately 12,360 settlement housing units this year.

Escalating Displacement and Expansion of Settlements

Since January 2023, 127 Palestinian communities have been fully or partially displaced, with 47 completely uprooted, affecting over 6,390 people. Alakbarov highlighted that settler attacks are expanding beyond Area C—where Israel maintains full control—into Areas A and B. He warned these interconnected developments are reshaping the occupied West Bank, weakening Palestinian governance, and advancing “de facto annexation.”

The UN continues to monitor the situation closely and calls for de-escalation and adherence to international law. Further escalation is anticipated as Israel approaches its parliamentary elections in October.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.