September 14th 2024.
A tragic incident has shaken the occupied West Bank as a result of an Israeli military operation. Among the ten people killed was Sufyan Jaber Abed Jawwad, a dedicated staff member of the United Nations. Jawwad, who worked as a sanitation worker in El Far'a Camp, was shot and killed by a sniper on the roof of his home during the early hours of September 12th. According to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, Jawwad received three shots in the chest while enjoying his morning coffee. Juliette Touma, the agency's communications director, confirmed this information to CNN on Friday.
However, the Israeli military has labeled Jawwad and the other victims as "terrorists." Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, stated that Jawwad was killed during an operation in the Far'a area of the West Bank. He alleged that Jawwad was actively involved in throwing explosive devices at the Israeli forces, posing a threat to their safety. "IDF troops opened fire to eliminate the threat, resulting in his death," Shoshani explained. He also added that Jawwad was a known terrorist and had been involved in previous attacks.
In a previous statement, the IDF had reported that during the operation that killed Jawwad, they had also uncovered and dismantled a vehicle rigged with explosives, explosives laboratories, and weapons. CNN reached out to UNRWA for a comment on these claims made by the IDF. Jawwad's death marks the first time in over ten years that a UNRWA staffer has been killed in the West Bank. He leaves behind his wife and five children, according to UNRWA.
The death of Jawwad has sparked outrage and condemnation from various organizations and countries. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, stated that since October 7th, 220 staff members have been killed in Gaza. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jordan released a statement expressing their condemnation of Jawwad's killing, calling it a "heinous crime." The IDF has previously expressed doubts and mistrust towards some UNRWA staffers, accusing them of being involved in terrorist activities.
The recent Israeli operations in the West Bank have had a significant impact on the humanitarian resources in the area. According to UNRWA, the refugee camps in El Far'a, Tulkarem, Nur Shams, and Jenin have been severely affected, with basic infrastructure such as water and electricity being destroyed. Due to the danger posed by both Israeli and Palestinian groups, including the threat of improvised explosive devices, UNRWA has been forced to suspend its services to refugees in the area. This decision was made to ensure the safety of both their staff and aid recipients.
The death of American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi during a protest last week has also sparked calls for change. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has demanded "fundamental changes" in the way Israeli forces operate in the West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces have stated that it is highly likely that Eygi was killed by indirect and unintentional IDF fire. This tragedy adds to the already alarming number of Palestinian lives lost in the West Bank, with nearly 700 deaths since October, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health and the UN. It is a somber reminder of the ongoing conflict and the need for a peaceful resolution.
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