Israel operation in West Bank collective punishment

The interim Palestinian government on Tuesday urged signatories of the Geneva Conventions to hold an emergency meeting and appoint a fact-finding commission to investigate the ongoing “vicious” Israeli military campaign and collective punishment against the Palestinian people.

In a statement released after the government’s weekly cabinet meeting, the PA strongly denounced the growing Israeli military operation, and the “killing, terrorism and executions in the field carried out by the occupation army against Palestinian civilians.”

The statement highlighted that Israeli forces killed six Palestinian citizens and detained hundreds including former prisoners who were freed in agreements with Israel. Detentions also included lawmakers and political leaders.

Cabinet ministers based in Gaza joined the meeting through video-conference.

The statement condemned the Israeli forces for violating the sanctity of Palestinian homes and ransacked them overnight, destroying and stealing property.

In its statement, the government mentioned details about the consequences of the Israeli military operation which started 12 days ago after Israel announced that three teenage settlers disappeared and were believed to have been kidnapped by Palestinian militants.

The statement urged mayors of Palestinian cities, governors and all officials to keep checking on Palestinian citizens, namely families who suffer from Israeli violations and to support them as much as possible.