Refugees International Condemns Israeli Air Strikes on West Bank Refugee Camp
Please see below statement from Refugees International President Jeremy Konyndyk:
“Refugees International is extremely concerned about the past week’s wanton attacks on the West Bank’s Jenin refugee camp. The violence unleashed by the Israeli military, following rising violence between settlers and Palestinians in the occupied territories, has thrust thousands of innocent Palestinians in the dense urban area into harm’s way. According to reports, 12 Palestinians are dead as well as one Israeli soldier, hundreds have been injured, and thousands were forced to flee their homes.
Refugees International calls on both the Israeli military and Palestinian factions to immediately cease escalatory violence and particularly any attacks on civilians. Israel’s use of air strikes against the densely populated refugee camp is deeply troubling and disproportionate. Israel must adhere to its international legal obligations, including avoiding indiscriminate attacks, and taking all feasible measures to minimize collateral harm to civilians. Reporting from the camp raises serious questions about whether the Israeli operation adhered to those obligations.
Palestinians in the camp whose homes were destroyed must be given immediate access to shelter. Access to food, water, and medicine for those caught in the crosshairs of the fighting and destruction is now critical.
The United States, in partnership with the international community, must take timely action to pressure both sides to de-escalate violence. Otherwise, the current crisis could continue to spiral into a series of retaliatory actions across Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza that will no doubt cause further suffering among civilians.”
To schedule an interview, please contact Refugees International’s Vice President for Strategic Outreach Sarah Sheffer at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org.
Featured Image: A woman sits by destruction from Israeli military attacks in Jenin, West Bank on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Issam Rimawi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)