Israel's processes of indigenous erasure advances across West Bank

Much has happened in the last few weeks: A US presidential election, ICC arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense secretary, Yoav Gallant, and the Hamas military leader, Mohammed Deif, as well as a new ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Despite all the political uncertainties, the zionist processes of indigenous erasure and colonial expansion proceed. Here is a recap of the last 30 days.

A new ceasefire

Reports are that Lebanon and Israel have approved a ceasefire agreement. Here are the broad strokes of the ceasefire.

Details:

• Withdrawal of Forces: Israeli troops are to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah will pull back north of the Litani River. This process is expected to take 60 days.
• Lebanese Army Deployment: The Lebanese army, which has largely remained inactive, will deploy to the south to monitor the ceasefire. It will become the sole armed force in the area, taking over all arms-related activities in the country.
• International Oversight: An international task force headed by the United States, including French peacekeepers, will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Return of Displaced Persons: Lebanese and Israeli civilians are allowed to return to their homes gradually. However, extensive destruction in southern Lebanon—where about 37 villages and major neighborhoods in Beirut, Nabatieh, and Tyre have been flattened—makes it uncertain how many displaced people will return. Since October 2023, Israel has displaced 1.2 million people in Lebanon and caused 3,768 fatalities, mostly in the past two months.
• Ceasefire Stability: Like ceasefires in years past, only those built on a long-term political agreement tend to last. This ceasefire agreement lacks that component and will be challenging to implement, especially given its reliance on the Lebanese army's expanded role. Without a comprehensive political agreement involving regional players like Iran, Syria, and Iraq, the ceasefire will likely be a temporary measure.
• Israel's Enforcement Rights: Israel demands the right to strike Lebanon to enforce the ceasefire terms if the Lebanese army and international task force fail to keep Hezbollah out of the border areas. Which, of course, makes no sense in any world. Accepting this could grant Israel international authorization to violate Lebanese sovereignty, a point of contention for Lebanon.

Impact on Lebanon:

• Damage and Displacement: The aggression has resulted in significant destruction and displacement, particularly affecting Shia Muslim communities that largely support Hezbollah. Their prolonged displacement may strain the state's resources.

Only time will tell how this ceasefire will impact not only the Lebanese people but the broader zionist colonial project and the trajectory of the Gazan genocide.

ICC Arrest Warrants

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Secretary Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif.

Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of war crimes, including using starvation as a warfare method and crimes against humanity. Deif faces charges including murder, torture, and sexual violence.

While Israel isn't an ICC member, the court claims jurisdiction as Palestine joined in 2015. The warrants' practical impact means Netanyahu and Gallant must carefully consider travel to any of the ICC's 124 member states, which are obligated to arrest them. While key allies like the US aren't members, most European Union countries, Latin American nations, and 33 African countries are.

Countries that have been a party to this genocide, namely the United States, Germany and France, have said they will likely not help execute the demands of the ICC.

This is a critical reminder that these arrest warrants will NOT execute themselves and that the implementation of any form of accountability is wholly contingent upon grassroots mobilization.

## Updates from the Ground

During the last 30 days, Israeli forces conducted 1,447 military operations across the West Bank, averaging approximately 47 operations per day. They arrested 623 Palestinians, with an average of about 20 arrests per day. In carrying out these raids, the Israeli military set up 468 temporary checkpoints, restricting movement and averaging around 15 per day — forcing Palestinians to wait for several hours at a time. This, in turn, causes additional delays in medical access and treatments.

Israeli settlers carried out 246 attacks on Palestinians and their property, averaging nearly eight attacks per day. Israeli authorities closed entrances and crossings 186 times to villages, cities, and small enclaves, averaging six closures per day, animating a matrix of control.

Over 14 days, Israeli forces destroyed property 64 times, averaging about 4.6 incidents per day, and confiscated property on 60 occasions, averaging approximately 4.3 incidents per day. Additionally, over 21 days, there were 27 assaults on places of worship — mainly mosques — averaging about 1.3 incidents per day.

West Bank Update

This past week, In the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted numerous arrests across multiple governorates. In Jerusalem, arrests included minors such as 15-year-old Qassim Al-Jabrini and several adults in neighborhoods like At-Tur and Silwan. A notable operation occurred at Birzeit University, where four students were arrested. Multiple arrests took place in Bethlehem, including 16-year-old Muhammad Salah, and in other areas like Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah.

Settler attacks increased during this period. In the Tubas Governorate, settlers repeatedly entered the Khirbet Samra area, harassing residents. A serious incident occurred near Burin village where settlers assaulted a 64-year-old man, Mahmoud Abdel Hadi Eid, who required hospitalization. In Jerusalem, settlers conducted provocative tours of Al-Aqsa Mosque under police protection. Property damage was reported in Bethlehem, where settlers uprooted olive trees and used bulldozers to damage civilian property. In Hebron, where settlers placed racist posters calling for violence against Palestinian children on Al-Shuhada Street and installed a mobile home on Palestinian lands in Masafer Yatta, further escalating tensions in the region.

Gaza Update

The Gaza Strip continues to face an escalating humanitarian crisis marked by intense Israeli bombardment, ground offensives, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access. The situation has led to significant civilian casualties, mass displacement, and the destruction of critical infrastructure, exacerbated by harsh winter conditions.

Mass Casualties and Attacks on Medical Facilities

In the North Gaza governorate, mass casualty incidents have increased, with the Kamal Adwan Hospital repeatedly coming under attack. Between 19 and 25 November alone, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Gaza reported 277 Palestinians killed and 738 injured. Since October 7 2023, at least 44,249 Palestinians have been killed and 104,746 injured. Estimates of the actual deaths are likely to be closer to 200,000.

The Kamal Adwan Hospital has faced at least seven attacks since the onset of the ground offensive, resulting in injuries to staff and patients and damaging essential infrastructure like generators and water tanks. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies have expressed deep concern for the safety of medical facilities and have called for an immediate end to hostilities in their vicinity — but nothing has been done, as there are no mechanisms of accountability.

Humanitarian Access Denied

Humanitarian efforts continued to be intentionally stifled as a means to starve the Palestinian population of Gaza. Of the United Nations' 41 attempts to deliver aid to besieged areas in North Gaza in November, all were either denied (37) or impeded (four). The tightened siege has prevented the delivery of critical supplies, including food, water, fuel, and medical equipment. Armed looting of humanitarian convoys has surged, with UN trucks being looted 75 times in 2024, including 15 incidents since November 4.

Displacement and Dire Living Conditions

Families recently displaced from North Gaza to Gaza City are facing critical shortages of supplies and services. Overcrowding in shelters is severe, with instances of up to 25 people sharing a single tent. Basic necessities such as mattresses, blankets, winter clothing, and hygiene products are lacking. The shortage of clean water and functional sanitation facilities has led to dire hygiene conditions, contributing to the spread of diseases like skin infections, hepatitis, and respiratory illnesses.

Worsening Nutritional Situation

There are clear signs of a rapidly deteriorating nutritional situation across Gaza. Of the total number of children admitted for outpatient treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of 2024, two-thirds were recorded in the past five months. Between November 1st and 24th, 3,410 children were admitted for treatment. Cases of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) with nutritional edema have surged, indicating a critical lack of protein in diets.

Impact of Winter Conditions

The onset of heavy rains has worsened the plight of over 1.6 million people living in makeshift shelters, nearly half a million of whom are in flood-prone areas. Flooding has damaged thousands of tents, destroyed belongings, and further degraded living conditions. Harsh winter temperatures and rising sea tides are exacerbating sewage accumulation, increasing the spread of disease and the risk of collapse of damaged buildings where many have sought refuge.

Challenges in Shelter and Aid Provision

Humanitarian partners need help providing adequate shelter and aid due to funding constraints and access impediments. Hundreds of thousands of tarpaulins and critical shelter materials remain stuck outside Gaza. Overcrowding in shelters persists, and families need access to nutritious food and means to cook. The shortage of medical supplies and medicines, especially for chronic illnesses, is acute.

Attacks on Humanitarian Workers

The genocide has taken a heavy toll on humanitarian workers. At least 337 aid workers, including 330 Palestinians and seven foreigners, have been killed since October 2023. This includes UN staff, Palestine Red Crescent Society members, and aid workers from national and international NGOs. Rescue teams have been directly targeted, with Palestinian Civil Defense reporting multiple incidents resulting in deaths and injuries among their members.

Humanitarian Access and Aid Delivery

Between 1 and 25 November, out of 456 planned aid movements across the Gaza Strip, only 40% were facilitated, 35% were denied, and 16% were impeded. Aid missions to besieged areas in North Gaza were particularly disrupted, with none of the UN's attempts to support people there being fully facilitated. Access restrictions, active hostilities, and security challenges continue to hinder the delivery of essential humanitarian assistance.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is dire and continues to deteriorate. Immediate action is required to ensure safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, protect civilians and medical facilities, and address the critical shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and shelter. Without significant intervention, the lives and well-being of millions of people in Gaza remain at grave risk.

West Bank Summary

November 26, 2024

Arrests in the West Bank

Jerusalem Governorate:

• At 17:50, Israeli forces arrested Qassim Muhannad Al-Jabrini, a 15-year-old boy, in the At-Tur neighborhood.
• At 18:00, they arrested Nader Al-Rajabi in the Silwan neighborhood.

Ramallah Governorate:

• Early on November 26, Israeli forces stormed Birzeit University campus and arrested four university students: Hassan Nihad Saleh, Amr Aziz Kayed, Amjad Nobani, and Fadi Abu Al-Saadeen.

Nablus Governorate:

• At 01:50, Israeli forces raided the village of Awarta and arrested Abdul Salam Awad.
• At 02:45, they stormed the city of Nablus and Balata camp, arresting Moaz Hakim Zubeidi.

Bethlehem Governorate:

• At 17:05, Israeli forces arrested Muhammad Ibrahim Suleiman Salah, 16 years old, during a raid in the town of Al-Khader.
• At 02:50, they arrested Imad Muhammad Suleiman Dhuib in the town of Za'tara.
• At 04:40, during a raid on the city of Bethlehem and Deheishe refugee camp, they arrested Abdullah Faisal Maali and Jihad Ahmed Musa Hamash.

Hebron Governorate:

• At dawn, Israeli forces arrested Mahmoud Khalil Al-Tarda in the town of Taffuh.
• At 15:50, they arrested Ahmad Misbah Hawarin, a resident of Adh Dhahiriya, when he reported to Israeli intelligence.

Settler Attacks

Tubas Governorate:

• At 09:10, a group of settlers entered the Khirbet Samra area in the northern Jordan Valley, provoking residents by moving among their homes.

Nablus Governorate:

• At 16:55, settlers near the village of Burin assaulted Mahmoud Abdel Hadi Eid, a 64-year-old man, causing bruises that required hospitalization.

Hebron Governorate:

• At 11:00, settlers attacked members of the Abu Tabikh family south of the town of As-Samu.

Gaza

Airstrikes and Shelling:

• Between 08:00 on November 25 and 08:00 on November 26, Israeli forces fired dozens of artillery shells from positions inside the Green Line toward agricultural lands, sites, and residential buildings.
• Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes across all Gaza governorates, targeting various sites, facilities, and residential buildings.

Closed Crossings:

• Key crossings, such as the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, remained closed, limiting the movement of people and goods.
• Although the Kerem Shalom crossing was partially opened to allow limited aid, the overall isolation of Gaza persisted.

November 25, 2024

Arrests in the West Bank

Jerusalem Governorate:

• At 14:00, Israeli forces detained Muhammad Yasser Darwish from Al-Issawiya village after he responded to an intelligence summons.
• At 18:00, they arrested Imran Abu Sobeih in the Bab Hatta area of the Old City.
• At 23:00, Israeli forces stormed the village of Duqqu, arresting Omar Muhammad Bajis Ryan and Karm Muhammad Abdul-Khaleq Dawood.

Ramallah Governorate:

• Israeli forces detained Ali Ismail Al-Darbani from Kafr Malik village at a sudden checkpoint in Yabrud.
• During invasions in their respective areas, they arrested Ihab Osama Abu Alia from Mughair village, and Jamal Assi Hajiji along with Nour Al-Din Sanif from Qarawah Bani Zaid.

Other Governorates:

• In Jericho, Israeli forces detained Muhammad Raji Al-Natour, 17, and Abdel Rahman Khaled Saleh at Aqaba Jabr camp.
• In Bethlehem, they arrested Ahmed Ali Mansour Issa, Nidal Hassan Youssef Sobeih, Mahmoud Ratib Al-Amor, and Mahdi Muhammad Al-Amor during operations at checkpoints and town invasions.
• Operations in Hebron led to the detention of five citizens, including Ibrahim Abdel-Qadr Muhammad Abu Shanab and Ahmed Samir Abdel Rahman Abu Ayyash.

Settler Attacks

• In Jerusalem, at 08:00, extremist Israeli settlers attacked Al-Aqsa Mosque protection forces, conducting provocative tours within its courtyards and facilities under police protection.
• In Tubas Governorate, at 15:30, Israeli settlers entered the Khalah Amir area in the northern Jordan Valley, provoking residents by roaming between homes. At 18:00, another group stormed the Khirbet Samra area, further disturbing residents.
• In Nablus Governorate, settlers from the Yitzhar colony threw stones at passing vehicles and attempted to enter sacred sites like the Tomb of Joseph.
• In Bethlehem, at 15:40, Israeli settlers uprooted olive trees and used bulldozers to damage property belonging to citizens in the village of Khalil al-Luz.

Gaza

Military Operations:

• Between 08:00 on November 24 and 08:00 on November 25, Israeli forces launched dozens of artillery shells targeting agricultural lands, buildings, and infrastructure.
• Israeli warplanes conducted pervasive airstrikes across all Gaza governorates, resulting in the deaths of 24 citizens and injuring 71 others.
• Israeli naval forces fired missiles and shells along the Gaza coastline, intensifying the zionist project and causing additional damage.

Closed Crossings:

• Critical crossings, such as Beit Hanoun and Al-Awda Port in Rafah, remained closed, severely limiting the movement of people and goods.
• Partial openings, like the Karam Abu Salem crossing on November 11, allowed limited aid deliveries but did little to alleviate the overall isolation and humanitarian needs.

November 24, 2024

Arrests in the West Bank

Jerusalem Governorate:

• At 13:00, Israeli forces arrested Muhammad Jawad Abu Sinina in the Bab Hatta area of the Old City of Jerusalem. He is a resident of the Al-Tur neighborhood.

Ramallah Governorate:

• At 21:30, Israeli forces arrested Ayham Abu Qara, a resident of Al-Mazraa Al-Gharbiya town, at one of the military checkpoints.

Tulkarm Governorate:

• At 04:15, Israeli forces stormed the Shweika suburb of Tulkarm city and arrested four citizens: Malik Musleh Ahmed Muhanna, Mahmoud Muhanna Ahmed Muhanna, Ali Muhanna Ahmed Muhanna, and Amr Ghaleb Ahmed Muhanna.
• At 04:55, they arrested Ahmed Jamil Shuraim during a raid in Tulkarm city.

Qalqilya Governorate:

• On November 11, Israeli forces arrested lawyer Moayad Samih Abdullah in the town of Kafr Thulth.
• In the village of Azzun Atma, they arrested Mohamed Salah Tawfiq Abu Safia, a pump driver.

Nablus Governorate:

• At 12:45, Israeli forces arrested university student Melhem Helmy Khalil Abu Araisi in Nablus.
• At 21:20, they arrested Osama Jabir Salim Kahil and his son Tharwat (holders of Gaza Strip IDs) between the northern town of Asira and the village of Yasid.
• In the village of Talfit, they arrested Samir Muhammad Ismail and Yaqoub Qutaiba Muslim during a night raid.

Jericho Governorate:

• At 21:40, Israeli forces arrested Muhammad Abdul Rahman Safi from Ain Al-Sultan camp and Hamad Al-Santrisi from Aqaba Jabr camp at a military checkpoint.

Hebron Governorate:

• At 16:30, Israeli forces arrested policeman Hafez Issa Huraini in Masafer Yatta after raiding his house.
• In the town of Adh-Dhahiriya, they arrested Shadi Adel Abu Asaad.

Settler Attacks

Four incidents involving Israeli settlers were reported, further escalating a program of indigenous erasure:

• In Jerusalem, at 15:00, Israeli authorities in the Wadi Al-Rababa area of Silwan neighborhood leveled land and placed graves, indicating settlement activities.
• In Nablus Governorate, at 09:30, settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, attacked the Al-Dajani neighborhood in Beit Furik town, opening fire and injuring a citizen, Daoud Nidal Hassan Nasasrah.
• In Hebron, at 18:55, settlers placed a mobile home (caravan) on lands belonging to citizens in the Wadi Al-Sial area of Masafer Yatta.
• At 19:45, extremist settlers hung racist posters calling for the killing of Palestinian children on Al-Shuhada Street in the Old City of Hebron.

Gaza

Military Operations:

• Between 08:00 on November 23 and 08:00 on November 24, Israeli forces fired dozens of artillery shells from positions inside the Green Line toward agricultural lands, targets, sites, and buildings in all Gaza governorates.
• Israeli warplanes conducted extensive airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, targeting service installations, sites of Palestinian armed groups, and residential buildings. These airstrikes resulted in the deaths of 35 citizens and injuries to 94 others.

Closed Crossings:

• Key crossings, such as the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing, remained closed, severely limiting the movement of people and goods.
• The Kerem Shalom crossing was partially opened on November 11 to allow limited aid, including medical supplies and fuel, but overall isolation persisted.