Gaza Death Toll Exceeds 69,000 as Exchanges Continue
GAZA CITY, [Date of Publication – inferred from context as Saturday, November 23, 2023] – The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 69,000, according to Palestinian health officials, as fighting between Israeli forces and militants persists. The escalating conflict has seen renewed exchanges, including the return of remains by both sides, signaling ongoing clashes despite international calls for a ceasefire.
In the West Bank,escalating settler violence has resulted in multiple injuries. Palestinian health officials reported 11 people were injured in an attack by Israeli settlers in the town of Beita, including journalists, medics, international activists, and farmers assisting with the olive harvest.
Jonathan Pollak, an activist present during the beita attack, recounted to The Associated Press that dozens of masked settlers armed with clubs descended upon olive pickers, throwing rocks and chasing people. He sustained a head injury and required hospitalization, and witnessed settlers attacking a journalist and her security guard.
Reuters reported two of its journalists were attacked “by a group of men with sticks and rocks” despite identifying themselves as press, and both were injured. A spokesperson for Reuters called for israeli authorities to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.
The Israeli military stated it dispersed a confrontation “between Israeli civilians and Palestinians during an uncoordinated olive harvest in an area that requires prior coordination” and that several Palestinians were injured.
Further violence was reported in the nearby village of Burin, where the Palestinian red Crescent said settlers injured four international activists and one 57-year-old man. Israeli military officials reported responding to rock-throwing at an Israeli vehicle, followed by Israeli civilians throwing rocks at harvesters, resulting in injuries to both Israeli and Palestinian civilians.
Rights groups note that arrests and prosecutions for settler violence are infrequent. Haaretz newspaper reported in 2022 that charges were pressed in only 3.8% of settler violence cases, with the majority closed without action.
The U.N. humanitarian office reported over 260 Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank in October alone – the highest number recorded since the office began tracking in 2006.
