The OIC report documents a sharp increase in Israeli crimes and violations against Palestinians from August 20 to 26, 2024, including frequent raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque and significant violence resulting in 306 deaths and 922 injuries.
The report highlights severe impacts, including the demolition of homes, destruction of infrastructure, and aggressive settlement activities by Israeli settlers, with 39 raids on Palestinian villages and attacks on agricultural lands.
International condemnation is growing, with 60 media and human rights organizations calling for the EU to suspend its cooperation with Israel and impose sanctions due to the continued killing of journalists in Gaza.
Jeddah, August 28, 2024 — The Media Observatory of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has published its latest weekly report, revealing a dramatic escalation in Israeli crimes and violations against Palestinians from August 20 to 26, 2024. The report provides a detailed account of the intensifying situation, highlighting a troubling increase in violence and aggressive actions in the occupied territories.
According to the report, the period witnessed frequent raids on Al-Aqsa Mosque, occurring almost daily. These attacks coincide with widespread condemnation of a controversial statement made by an extremist far-right Israeli minister, who threatened to construct a Jewish synagogue within the mosque's sacred courtyards. This provocative rhetoric has exacerbated tensions and contributed to the ongoing violence.
The report documents a staggering 1,936 crimes and violations committed by Israeli occupation forces and settlers during the week. The violence has resulted in the tragic deaths of 306 Palestinians, with 296 fatalities occurring in the Gaza Strip and ten in the West Bank. This brings the total number of Palestinian martyrs since October 7, 2023, to a grim 41,081.
In addition to the fatalities, the report notes that 922 Palestinians were injured across Gaza and the West Bank, while approximately 129 individuals were detained in the West Bank and Jerusalem. The scale of suffering and disruption has drawn significant international condemnation.
The report also highlights the global response to these violations, noting that 60 media and human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, have urged the European Union to suspend its cooperation agreement with Israel and impose sanctions due to the ongoing targeting of journalists in Gaza.
The situation in the West Bank and Jerusalem remains particularly dire. The report details the demolition of ten Palestinian homes in areas such as Wadi al-Joz and the town of Anata in Jerusalem, along with other locations in Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Nablus. The destruction extends to critical infrastructure, including roads, sports clubs, and commercial properties, as well as the confiscation of Palestinian property, such as bulldozers, tractors, and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, the report underscores the aggressive settlement activities conducted by Israeli settlers. Over the past week, settlers have carried out 39 raids on Palestinian villages, burned and bulldozed agricultural lands, and attacked Palestinian vehicles. These actions are part of a broader pattern of land seizure and outpost construction in various parts of the West Bank.
The OIC's weekly report paints a stark picture of the escalating violence and violations faced by Palestinians, calling for urgent international attention and action to address and mitigate the ongoing crisis in the occupied territories.