UK ‘deeply concerned’ about ongoing IDF op. in the West Bank, condemns settler violence

The British government says it is “deeply concerned” by Israel’s ongoing military operation in the West Bank, warning that the risk of instability is serious and that there is an urgent need for de-escalation.

“We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Foreign Office says in a statement.

“We recognize Israel’s need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure,” the Foreign Office spokesperson says.

The spokesperson adds the UK “strongly condemns settler violence,” and that it is in no one’s interest for further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.

Since October 7, troops have arrested some 4,850 wanted Palestinians across the West Bank, including more than 1,960 affiliated with Hamas.

According to the Palestinian Authority Health Ministry, more than 670 West Bank Palestinians have been killed in that time. The IDF says the vast majority of them were gunmen killed in exchanges of fire, rioters who clashed with troops or terrorists carrying out attacks.

During the same period, 27 people, including Israeli security personnel, have been killed in terror attacks in Israel and the West Bank. Another five members of the security forces were killed in clashes with terror operatives in the West Bank.