To Whom It May Concern,
The number of deaths has increased in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in recent years. But this year is rendered as the deadliest year. Around one hundred Palestinians have already been killed in occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem this year. According to available sources including BBC, most deaths are caused by attacks or raids by Israeli forces, though some deaths are caused by armed Israeli civilians. Moreover, such deaths are going on without any indication of their end and there is a lack of deserving emphasis by powerful countries on ending such deaths, though some protests against killings are made and demand for bringing those who are responsible for such deaths to justice raised by powerful countries too.
Deaths include not only gunmen from militant groups, teenagers and young men who throw stones or petrol bombs against Israeli forces and individuals who carry out alleged knife attacks but also protesters, unarmed civilians, bystanders and anti-settlement activists. Notably, Israeli forces are not alone responsible for frequent clashes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, though they are responsible for most deaths in these areas. Israeli forces and civilians are also attacked by armed groups in Palestine including Hamas. But Israeli forces carry out deadly attacks on many occasions on civilians in retaliation leading to the deaths of Palestinian civilians. No doubt, protests, throwing stones, attacks with knives, missile attacks, open fires by Israeli forces and bombing from Israeli fighter jets are related to the unresolved Israel-Palestine crisis.
Deaths are not desired. Clashes and raids are also undesired. But earnest efforts are important to prevent the deaths of civilians and clashes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In this respect, the Israeli-Palestine crisis needs to be settled down by global and regional powers. It is also desired that protests by Palestinians are carried out in a peaceful manner and Israeli forces need to be more careful in dealing with civilian protesters ad attacking civilian areas.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
