UN: Over 200 Palestinians, Nearly 30 Israelis Killed in 2023

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Facts

  • UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland said in a briefing to the Security Council (UNSC) on Monday that more than 200 Palestinians and nearly 30 Israelis have been killed so far this year, which represents the highest death toll in the conflict since 2005.1
  • Wennesland added that "Palestinians and Israelis are killed and injured in near-daily violence" and demonstrated "concerning trends" regarding Gaza and the West Bank.1
  • Wennesland pointed to "growing despair about the future among Palestinians and a lack of progress toward achieving an independent state" as two of the main drivers of escalating violence, also calling for unilateral steps to ease tensions.2
  • Regarding Israeli actions, Wennesland highlighted the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, demolition of Palestinian homes, military operations, and assaults by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages.3
  • While US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned violence by both sides and reiterated the US' support for a two-state solution and "good-faith dialogue," Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said the situation is exacerbated by the "unilateral actions of Israel."4
  • The situation in the West Bank and Gaza has deteriorated in the last year as Israel — following a spree of Palestinian attacks last spring — has launched regular raids.5

Sources: 1UN News, 2The New Arab, 3Middle East Monitor, 4Global News, and 5Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. The only party escalating the conflict is Israel as it launches military operations that seek to provoke Palestinians, who are growing increasingly frustrated with the daily brutality imposed on them by their occupiers. Israel's ultimate goal is to terrorize the Palestinian people into surrender. The international community must put pressure on Israel to end the occupation and its apartheid policies.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The Jerusalem Post. All of Israel's military actions in the last year and a half have been in response to Palestinian militancy and terrorism. Israel wants peace, which is why it seeks to prevent Palestinian terror attacks against Israeli civilians. The UN, which consistently singles out the Jewish state, must end its unfair treatment of Israel. By singling out one party, the other is emboldened to commit more violence.