Occupation, violence, and displacement in the West Bank
(2025).
Occupation, violence, and displacement in the West Bank.
[Dataset].
Dryad.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.fxpnvx147
Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank has intensified violence in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). This violence escalated after attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent military campaign in Gaza. This study examines the possible impacts of military and land occupation on displacement, injuries, and deaths in the West Bank. This cross-sectional observational study analyses casualties and displacement data in the West Bank and Israel from May 1, 2014, to June 30, 2024. Sources include the United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Statista, and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Death and injury rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated and compared across populations. Interrupted time-series analysis compared observed Palestinian deaths, injuries, and displacement to expected levels since October 2023. Chi-square analysis examined demolition patterns by West Bank area. GIS mapping methods visualized spatial variations in casualties and demolitions. Death and injury rates were substantially higher for Palestinians than Israelis: RR=5.72 (95% CI 2.38, 13.75; p <0.001) for deaths and RR=16.47 (6.86, 39.56; p<0.001) for injuries. Refugee camps had increased death rates: IRR = 7.91 (5.26, 11.89; p < 0.0001) compared to non-refugee camp populations. Since October 2023, West Bank deaths were 25% higher than expected: RR = 1.25 (1.15, 1.36; p < 0.0001) and displacement 17% higher: RR = 1.17 (1.12, 1.21; p < 0.0001). Nablus and Jenin recorded the highest fatalities. Jabal al-Mukkabir in East Jerusalem experienced the highest number of demolitions. Our study confirms a significant disparity in rates of conflict-related traumatic injuries and deaths between Palestinians and Israelis. The findings emphasize the need to limit military force against civilians, to hold the Israeli government accountable for demolitions and displacement, and to instigate protective measures in refugee communities. Policy efforts should prioritize conflict de-escalation, including reaching a sustainable political solution.
Keywords
Israel, Conflict affected states, displacement, Palestine, refugee health| Item Type | Dataset |
|---|---|
| Description of data capture | The data was collected to explore the effects of the Israeli occupation on Palestinians. To that end, we have collected casualty and demolition data from the UNOCHA dataset; this data was originally extracted on July 15, 2024. These data document conflict-related incidents resulting in casualties, demolitions, and related metrics in the West Bank and Israel. Casualty data was extracted from the “OCHA data on casualties” website, which provided information on dates, locations, type of incident, perpetrators, weapons used, victims, and outcomes of violent events specifically between Israelis and Palestinians. As per UNOCHA, for an incident to be entered into the database, it must be validated by at least two independent and reliable sources. Incidents resulting in Israeli injuries are an exception to this rule, where information is based on media reports. Only casualties that took place as a result of confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis in the context of the occupation and conflict are included in the database. Those injured are recorded only if they were physically hurt in a relevant incident and received medical treatment at a clinic or hospital, or by paramedic personnel. Civilians are defined as persons who are neither members of security forces (including police) nor those who fulfil a combat function within an armed group. Demolition data was extracted from the “OCHA data on demolition and displacement in the West Bank” website and includes the location of demolitions, the number of structures demolished, and the displacement caused. |
| Capture method | Compilation/Synthesis, Aggregation |
| Date | 25 June 2025 |
| Language(s) of written materials | English |
| Creator(s) |
Aly, S, Mossolem, F, Khalil, A, Surapaneni, T, Traboulsi, AA, Aldadah, W, Reid, E and Hajat, S
|
| LSHTM Faculty/Department | Faculty of Public Health and Policy > Dept of Public Health, Environments and Society |
| Participating Institutions | Yale University, United States, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom, Rowan University, United States, Columbia University, United States, Massachusetts General Hospital, United States, HCA Healthcare, United States |
| Date Deposited | 03 Jul 2025 09:53 |
| Last Modified | 04 Jul 2025 14:43 |
| Publisher | Dryad |
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