UPDATE - UN report warns of 'rapidly deteriorating' human rights situation in West Bank

UPDATES WITH MORE INFO FROM UN REPORT, REMARKS BY UN RIGHTS OFFICE CHIEF; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Nur Asena Erturk

The UN human rights office warned on Thursday of a "rapidly deteriorating" human rights situation in the occupied West Bank.

In its flash report, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Israel to "end unlawful killings and settler violence" against the Palestinian population.

"The report calls for an immediate end to the use of military weapons and means during law enforcement operations, an end to arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of Palestinians, and the lifting of discriminatory movement restrictions," said the UN human rights office in a statement.

According to the report, 300 Palestinians, including 79 children, were killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem between Oct. 7 and Dec. 27.

"Of these, Israeli security forces killed at least 291 Palestinians, settlers killed eight, and one Palestinian was killed either by Israeli security forces or settlers," it detailed.

UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, denounced the "use of military tactics means and weapons in law enforcement contexts" as well as the use of "disproportionate force," his office said in the statement.

Turk called on Israel to "take immediate, clear and effective steps to put an end to settler violence" and to "investigate all incidents of violence by settlers and Israeli security forces."

Over 4,700 Palestinians, including nearly 40 journalists, were arrested by Israeli security forces in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and were ill-treated with blindfolds, handcuffs, physical violence, insults and other means, according to the report.

"The dehumanization of Palestinians that characterizes many of the settlers' actions is very disturbing and must cease immediately. Israeli authorities should strongly censure and prevent settler violence and prosecute both its instigators and perpetrators," Turk said.

The report recalled that Israeli authorities imposed severe and systematic restrictions on Palestinians' movement across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since Oct. 7.

"The report reiterates our calls for a halt to measures that lead to the creation of a coercive environment and concerns regarding forcible transfer, in addition to the continued lack of accountability for settler and Israeli security forces violence," Turk added, as he urged Israel to grant the UN Human Rights Office access to the country.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Palestinian group, Hamas, on Oct. 7, killing at least 21,110 Palestinians and injuring 55,243 others, mostly women and children, according to local health authorities.

Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas attack.