ICSPR Issues a Comprehensive Briefing Note on the Escalation of Israeli Settlements and Violations in the West Bank During the First Quarter of 2025

Date:10 Mar 2025

Press Release

ICSPR Issues a Comprehensive Briefing Note on the Escalation of Israeli Settlements and Violations in the West Bank During the First Quarter of 2025

As part of its ongoing efforts to document Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, the International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) has issued a comprehensive briefing note on the escalation of settlement activities and Israeli violations in the West Bank during the first quarter of 2025. The briefing note has been addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, the President of the Human Rights Council, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Settlement Expansion and Human Rights Violations

The briefing note highlights that Israel has continued its expansionist policies in the West Bank, with a significant increase in illegal settlement activities, in blatant violation of international law and relevant UN resolutions. The note documents the establishment of 10 new settlement outposts and the confiscation of thousands of dunums of Palestinian land for settlement expansion.

Among the most notable violations:

• Establishment of settlement outposts in Banat Bar (Salfit), Silon (Nablus), and Ein Faris (Nahalin), among others.
• Confiscation of more than 17,868 dunums of Palestinian land in various areas, including occupied East Jerusalem.
• Approval of new settlement projects, such as the “Rose Marine” project, aimed at expanding the Beitar Illit settlement and linking it to other settlement projects.

Demolition of Palestinian Homes and Structures

The briefing note reveals the systematic policy of demolitions carried out by Israeli authorities against Palestinian homes and structures, with dozens of demolitions recorded in the first quarter of 2025. These included:

• The demolition of 200 structures in Wadi al-Joz, Jerusalem, as part of the “Silicon Valley” settlement project.
• The destruction of homes and structures in Tulkarm refugee camp, the village of Al-Jib, Hazma town, and other areas, displacing hundreds of families.
• The demolition of homes belonging to martyrs’ families in Qalqilya and Nablus, as part of Israel’s collective punishment policy.

Military Escalation and Mass Arrests

The briefing note confirms that Israeli forces intensified their military operations in the West Bank, resulting in the martyrdom of dozens of Palestinians, including children and women, and the injury of many others. It also documents mass arrests targeting dozens of Palestinians, including journalists and human rights activists.

Key incidents include:

• A large-scale military operation in Jenin refugee camp, leading to the martyrdom of 19 Palestinians and the displacement of 3,200 families.
• Military operations in Tulkarm and Nablus, causing Palestinian casualties and widespread infrastructure destruction.
• Targeting of journalists and activists, including the arrest of journalist Abdullah Maatan and journalist Farah Abu Ayesh.

Settler Violence and Movement Restrictions on Palestinians

The briefing note documents an increase in settler attacks against Palestinians and their property, with settlers carrying out 15 attacks in February alone, resulting in injuries to 11 civilians and severe property damage. Additionally, settlers were recorded stealing agricultural equipment and destroying hundreds of olive trees in the village of Haris.

At the same time, Israeli forces imposed tight movement restrictions on Palestinians through military checkpoints and roadblocks, effectively isolating Palestinian cities and villages and restricting access to essential services.

Prevention of Worship and Attacks on Religious Sites

The note highlights Israel’s ongoing restrictions on Palestinian access to holy sites, including:

• Preventing the call to prayer at the Ibrahimi Mosque 61 times during the first quarter of 2025.
• Blocking tens of thousands of Palestinians from attending the first Friday prayer of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque, sparking widespread outrage among Palestinians.

ICSPR’s Demands

The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) calls on the international community to take urgent action to halt illegal settlement activities and Israeli violations against Palestinians. The demands include:

• Launching an international investigation into Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• Holding Israeli leaders accountable before the International Criminal Court.
• Pressuring Israel to halt settlement expansion and allow Palestinians to exercise their legitimate rights.

Conclusion

ICSPR emphasized that these violations constitute a flagrant breach of international law and UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which calls for a complete halt to settlement activities. The organization urges the international community to intervene immediately to end the suffering of the Palestinian people and ensure the protection of their human and legal rights.