The United Nations on Thursday condemned the killing of two Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank and called on Israeli authorities to take action against those responsible for violence against Palestinians.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described the deaths of 19-year-old Omar al-Naasan and 16-year-old Khalil Shehada in Al-Mughayyir village as shocking. He expressed serious concern over continuing settler violence, including attacks on Palestinian civilians, their property and their daily lives.
Dujarric said Israeli authorities have a responsibility to prevent further attacks and ensure that those involved are held accountable.
Regarding Gaza, he said UN teams had collected hundreds of pallets of humanitarian aid from the Kerem Shalom crossing, including food for young children, school supplies and essential items for adults.
The World Health Organization reported that more than 13,000 patients from Gaza, including over 6,000 children, have received medical evacuation support since October 2023. However, thousands still require specialized treatment that is unavailable inside Gaza.
The UN also called for the reopening of medical referral routes from the West Bank and improved access to hospitals in East Jerusalem. It urged that ambulances and essential medical equipment currently restricted from entering Gaza be permitted through.
UN humanitarian officials also highlighted preparations for the approaching rainy and winter seasons in Gaza as an urgent priority, calling for increased international funding and the removal of restrictions on vital equipment.
In Lebanon, the UN reported a rise in violence during August. Peacekeepers recorded 84 Israeli projectiles on September 2, compared with 56 the previous day, while no Hezbollah projectile launches had been detected since June 21.
The UN again urged Israeli forces to withdraw from areas north of the Blue Line, saying their presence violates Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty.
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