ICRC Calls For Urgent Protection Of Civilians In The West Bank

JERUSALEM, Sept 29 (Bernama-WAFA) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for urgent protection for the civilian population in the West Bank, Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA) reported.

ICRC also warned that escalating violence, increasing movement restrictions, and the accelerating pace of settlement expansion are inflicting severe harm on civilians and making their daily lives unbearable.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ICRC noted that dozens of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured this year, while many have been displaced and homes and properties damaged or destroyed, leaving many without shelter or a means of livelihood.

Julien Lerisson, Head of the ICRC Delegation in the occupied territories, stated that an end must be put to the recurring and severe violence.

He emphasised the authorities' responsibility to protect the population from violence committed by colonists, to respect international humanitarian law, to protect public and private property, and to ensure access to essential services.

He added that movement restrictions hinder patients' access to healthcare and children's access to schools, and cut off residents from their homes and livelihoods, while ambulances are sometimes delayed for hours at checkpoints and roadblocks.

-- BERNAMA-WAFA