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. 2025 Jun 25;5(6):e0004829.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004829. eCollection 2025.

Occupation, displacement, and violence in the West Bank: A retrospective analysis of data from 2014-2024

Sarah Aly  1   2 , Fatima Mossolem  3 , Ayeh Khalil  4 , Tushara Surapaneni  1 , Abd Al-Rahman Traboulsi  5 , Waleed Aldadah  6 , Eleanor Reid  1 , Shakoor Hajat  2
Affiliations

Occupation, displacement, and violence in the West Bank: A retrospective analysis of data from 2014-2024

Sarah Aly et al. PLOS Glob Public Health. .

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Map of West Bank.
Source: Humanitarian Data Exchange [12].
Fig 2
Fig 2. Israeli settler population growth from 2015-2023 in the occupied West Bank.
Source: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics [14].
Fig 3
Fig 3. Total injuries and deaths of Palestinians from 2014-2024 in the West Bank by communities.
Source: Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics [37].
Fig 4
Fig 4. Annual death and injury rates for Palestinians and Israelis, by location.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Conflict-related casualties, Israelis (left) and Palestinians (right), and their associated perpetrators, during the study period in the West Bank and Israel.
Fig 6
Fig 6. Monthly structures demolished and people displaced with smoothed trends (dashed lines) during the study period.
Smoothed trends are based on LOESS functions.
Fig 7
Fig 7. Locations of demolished structures in West Bank communities during the study period.
Source: Humanitarian Data Exchange [12,38].
Fig 8
Fig 8. Total monthly deaths of Palestinians in the West Bank May 2014 to June 2024.
Blue dots = observed deaths; red dots = predicted deaths. Dashed black line = Oct 2023.
Fig 9
Fig 9. Total monthly Palestinians displaced in Area A during May 2014 to June 2024.
Blue dots = observed peopled displaced; red dots = predicted people displaced. Dashed black line = Oct 2023.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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