The United States is “concerned by the cycle of violence in the West Bank” and urges to reduce tension

27 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The US State Department has expressed “concern” about the escalation of tensions in the West Bank and has urged a reduction in tension in the region, after a raid by the Israeli Army resulted in the death of at least nine Palestinians in the city of Jenin.

“We recognize the very real security challenges facing Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and we condemn terrorist groups that plan and carry out attacks against civilians. We regret the loss of innocent life, as well as the injuries to civilians, and are deeply concerned by the cycle of violence in the West Bank,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Thus, Price has stressed “the urgent need for all parties to reduce tension, prevent further loss of civilian life and work together to improve the security situation in the West Bank.”

In this sense, the deputy spokesman for the State Department, Vedant Patel, has indicated that the tension must be reduced through the joint work of the Israeli and Palestinian authorities through dialogue and diplomacy to “improve the security situation in the West Bank.”

In addition, he has reiterated the US position against the International Court of Justice (ICJ) — following the request of the United Nations General Assembly — investigating the legality of Israeli settlements in occupied territory.

“These steps could potentially undermine a future solution (…) and would not be of great help in this process,” he criticized, after recalling that Washington “has systematically made (this position) clear.”

Patel has insisted that “both Palestinians and Israelis deserve to live safe and sound” to “avoid further loss of civilian life.”

On the other hand, the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, will begin a tour of the Middle East countries on Sunday that will include stops in Israel and the West Bank, all this at the height of the upsurge in violence between Israelis and Palestinians and with the aim of “preserving the two-State solution” to achieve the zone and “reduce tensions.

This trip includes consultations with partners on “bilateral, regional and global priorities, including progress in efforts to promote Human Rights, democratic norms and values,” according to the deputy spokesperson.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed this Thursday the death of at least nine people in a raid on a refugee camp in Jenin, one of the fatalities being a civilian, after which the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has declared three days of mourning

On the other hand, the Palestinian permanent representative to the United Nations, Riyad Mansur, has asked the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for an urgent meeting to discuss the escalation of tensions in the region.