Israel’s use of force during West Bank raids worries UN

The United Nations voiced serious concerns on Friday over the Israeli military’s use of force during its raid this week in the West Bank, including methods “developed for war fighting.”

Hundreds of Jenin residents fled their homes as the military demolished a number of houses on the third day of a major operation in the West Bank city on Thursday.

“We are deeply concerned by the use of unlawful lethal force in Jenin, in the occupied West Bank,” UN human rights office spokesman Thameen Al Kheetan told a media briefing in Geneva.

“The deadly Israeli operations in recent days raise serious concerns about unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including methods and means developed for war fighting, in violation of international human rights law, norms and standards applicable to law enforcement operations. “This includes multiple airstrikes and apparently random shooting at unarmed residents attempting to flee or find safety.”

An Israeli army military excavator demolishes a building in Jenin in the occupied West Bank during a large-scale operation on Friday. AFP

MSF STAFF KILLED IN GAZA: Medical charity MSF on Friday confirmed the death of a ninth employee in Gaza, saying he and 10 family members had been trapped and starving when they were killed by an Israeli air strike last month.

Doctors Without Borders, which is known by its French acronym, said it was “devastated to report the death of Bilal Okal, our colleague killed by Israeli forces in Jabalia, North Gaza.” The man, along with his wife, seven children, his mother and a sister had become trapped in their building during a violent siege by Israeli forces, before being killed by an Israeli airstrike in December.

“As part of the prisoners’ exchange deal, the (Ezzedine) Al Qassam Brigades decided to release tomorrow four women soldiers,” said Abu Obeida, the spokesman for the the group’s armed wing, on Telegram. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed it had received the names through mediators.

MORE FUNDING NEEDED: Funding shortages may affect the UN’s ability to maintain aid flows at target levels throughout the Gaza ceasefire deal, a UN official told Reuters.

Fifteen months of war has left more than 47,000 Palestinians dead and most of Gaza in ruins, with hundreds of thousands of people homeless and reliant on outside aid for survival.

Daily deliveries have surged tenfold since the Sunday deal, according to UN data, surpassing the 600 trucks a day target set out for the first seven weeks of the ceasefire.

Palestinians inspect the site of a deadly Israeli strike on a car, near Jenin, in the Israeli occupied West Bank. on Friday. Reuters

Muhannad Hadi, Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, told Reuters he was “very happy” with how the first few days had gone, but flagged funding as a concern. “Funding is an issue. We need immediate funding to make sure that we continue providing the aid for the 42 days, but also after the 42 days, because we’re hopeful that we’ll go from phase one to phase two,” he said, after returning from Gaza earlier this week.

He described scenes of widespread joy and relief across the enclave, with many Gazans smiling and eager to return to the remnants of their homes and find work.

“I’ve received clear messages from the people: they don’t want to continue depending on humanitarian aid. They want to rebuild their lives... We can’t afford to let them down.”

The UN is seeking $4.1 billion for the occupied Palestinian territories this year, with nearly 90% set to go to Gaza. It is currently 3.6% funded.

Agencies