Israel accused of dismantling Palestinian life amid attacks in West Bank and Gaza

International reports, including a new publication by Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, accuse Israel of systematically working to dismantle Palestinian life in the occupied West Bank. The B'Tselem report, titled "The Erasure Project: Israel's Elimination of Palestinian Presence in the West Bank" and released on September 14, 2026, alleges that Israel has intensified measures aimed at undermining the foundations of Palestinian existence, particularly since late 2022 and with greater intensity since October 2023. This alleged "erasure project" reportedly manifests through five interconnected pillars: violence and instilling terror, movement restrictions, economic strangulation, political and social destruction, and ethnic cleansing and territorial seizure.

The report, drawing on over 2,000 testimonies, asserts that these actions are not isolated incidents but rather an integrated system designed to remove the conditions enabling Palestinians to sustain their presence, while simultaneously expanding Israeli control. The situation in the West Bank has seen an increase in settler attacks, with over 1,600 documented between January and August 2026, leading to Palestinian casualties or property damage. In Gaza, humanitarian organizations continue to report on ongoing Israeli airstrikes and other attacks on populated areas, resulting in casualties and property damage, and exacerbating displacement.

Displacement remains a significant concern, with about 1,500 Palestinians displaced by demolitions across the West Bank in 2026 so far, and over 2,500 displaced due to settler attacks and related access restrictions. Aid efforts in Gaza are severely constrained by funding shortfalls and restrictions on the entry of essential materials, impacting preparations for the upcoming winter and increasing health risks due to overcrowding and inadequate sanitation. The reports underscore a deteriorating humanitarian situation across the occupied Palestinian territory, with ongoing violence and restrictions limiting access to essential services and undermining the resilience of affected communities.