Ramallah, West Bank - The West Bank is engulfed in a wave of fury and violence as protests and settler attacks intensify, following the deadly blast at the al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. Young Palestinians, draped in black and white checked keffiyeh scarves reminiscent of Yasser Arafat, took to the streets of Ramallah, expressing their anger at the mistreatment of their fellow Palestinians in Gaza.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the explosion at the hospital killed hundreds of people, sparking outrage among the protesters. Despite U.S. claims that the strike originated from within Gaza rather than Israel, the demonstrators directed their ire towards the victims, including patients, caregivers, doctors, and displaced individuals who lost their lives while seeking refuge.

"It's important to acknowledge that this process of dehumanizing Palestinians is affecting not only Gaza but also the population in the West Bank," stated Diana Buttu, a lawyer and former adviser to the Palestinian Liberation Organization. She highlighted the grave situation and the lack of support for West Bank Palestinians facing indiscriminate army shootings and persecution for expressing resistance.

The escalating violence in the West Bank occurs parallel to Israel's full-scale conflict with Hamas. In response to an attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 people and the capture of 222 hostages, Israel launched intensive air strikes and shelling on the blockaded Gaza Strip, with assistance from Egypt. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that over 7,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the escalation, while the death toll in the West Bank stands at 103, including two Israeli prisoners.

The health ministry attributed the deaths to Israeli "bullets and missiles." The Israeli military confirmed launching a drone strike on "terrorists" in the densely populated Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, citing armed terrorist activity against Israeli security forces. Both Gaza and the West Bank have witnessed civilian casualties amidst the conflict.

The West Bank and Gaza Strip were captured by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967. Gaza has been under the rule of Hamas since 2006, while the larger West Bank is governed by President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority.

However, even prior to the Hamas attack, the West Bank experienced a surge in violence. The United Nations reported that between January and July, 152 Palestinians in the West Bank lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest periods since 2005. Jewish settler attacks and Israeli military arrest raids have contributed to the escalating violence. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs documented 591 settler-related incidents causing harm to Palestinians or property damage during the first half of this year.

The presence of 700,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories coveted by the Palestinians for a future state, further fuels tensions. The international community, including the Biden administration, considers Israeli settlements illegal. President Joe Biden denounced the settler attacks as exacerbating an already volatile situation and called for accountability.

Amid rising tensions, some Palestinians have formed neighborhood-watch-like groups to patrol villages near settlements for protection. In Ramallah, protestors expressed frustration with President Mahmoud Abbas's perceived slow response to Israel's Gaza bombardment and blockade. They criticized his attempt to remain neutral and maintain a good relationship with the United States.

Throughout the protests, clashes between Palestinian Authority security forces and demonstrators have occurred, with tear gas and sound bombs employed by the authorities. The Israeli military has also cracked down in the West Bank, resulting in the arrest of 1,380 Palestinians since October 7, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society.

With movement between West Bank towns and cities severely restricted due to a blanket Israeli military closure, the situation is reaching a breaking point. Entry into East Jerusalem is prohibited for Palestinians, even those with Israeli-issued permits. Tensions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound further add to the volatile atmosphere, with right-wing Israeli politicians pushing for expanded Jewish access to the site, challenging the status quo.

Hamas cited these provocations as reasons for their October 7 attack. As the violence continues to escalate, the international community remains concerned about the deteriorating situation and the need for a swift resolution.