Record violence in West Bank leaves ‘silent war’ unfolding: Lazzarini

The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has warned that the occupied West Bank is undergoing a “silent war”, as Israeli military operations and settler attacks reach record levels since the start of the war on Gaza.

“Tens of thousands of people remain displaced a year after the launch of Israel’s operation ‘Iron Wall’ – the largest displacement since 1967,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on X.

He added that Palestinians are being prevented from returning, as Israeli forces demolish their homes, further entrenching the displacement.
1,000+ killed, children among the victims
According to Lazzarini, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023, nearly a quarter of them children.

He condemned the growing wave of attacks by illegal settlers who, with the backing of the IOF continue to intimidate and uproot Palestinian communities and destroy livelihoods.

“Impunity reigns”, Lazzarini said, warning that global inaction has normalized violations of international law in the West Bank.

Despite relentless attacks, UNRWA continues to deliver emergency assistance across the West Bank. However, the agency’s access is shrinking as the occupation targets Palestinian infrastructure and expands settler control.

Lazzarini stressed that while international attention is focused on Gaza, the West Bank is suffering from structural violence that is being ignored.

Illegal settlements, displacement on the rise
According to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, 4,723 settler attacks were recorded in 2025 alone. These attacks killed 14 Palestinians and displaced 13 Bedouin communities, totaling 1,090 people.

Official figures show at least 1,110 Palestinians killed and 11,500 wounded in the West Bank by occupation forces and settlers since October 2023.