![Israeli forces demolish a three-story Palestinian-owned house citing the lack of the building permit, in the town of Tarqumiya, northwest of Hebron, West Bank on February 1, 2026. [Wisam Hashlamoun - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AA-20260201-40430524-40430489-ISRAELI_FORCES_DEMOLISHED_A_PALESTINIAN_HOUSE_IN_WEST_BANK-1.jpg)
The occupied West Bank is witnessing a “silent war” amid record levels of violence by the Israeli army and illegal settlers since October 2023, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday. “Tens of thousands of people remain displaced a year after the launch of Israel’s operation “Iron Wall” – the largest displacement since 1967. Their homes are now gradually demolished to prevent their return,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on US social media company X. On Jan. 21, the Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, killing scores and displacing thousands. Lazzarini said more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied territory since October 2023, almost a quarter […]
