UN report: Israeli forces shield settlers during attacks on Palestinians

The United Nations reported on March 18, 2024, that Israeli security forces routinely accompany Israeli settlers and provide a protective shield during attacks against Palestinians. This pattern of behavior was documented in a report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) covering incidents from January 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024. The OCHA report detailed 1,367 settler-related incidents that resulted in Palestinian casualties, property damage, or both. Specifically, 16 Palestinians were killed and 381 injured in these incidents, with Israeli forces present in 137 of them. The report also highlighted that Israeli forces were present during 40% of settler attacks where Palestinians were injured and 22% of attacks resulting in Palestinian fatalities. The OCHA's findings indicate a systemic issue, with Israeli forces often failing to intervene to prevent settler violence and, in some cases, actively facilitating it by providing escorts and protection. This includes instances where settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, have destroyed Palestinian property, including olive groves and homes, and have also engaged in physical assaults.