The U.N. human rights office called for an end to violence, reporting that Israeli security forces and Jewish settlers have killed over 500 Palestinians in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

They accused Israel of using "unnecessary and disproportionate" force and systematically denying medical aid. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not immediately comment on the U.N. statement.

Violence in the West Bank has increased since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year, which led to Israel's military offensive in Gaza, resulting in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths according to the Gaza health ministry.

Israeli security forces have intensified operations in the West Bank, making thousands of arrests. Israeli officials claim these actions are to prevent further violence and attacks on Israel.

The U.N. studied 80 of the 505 documented Palestinian deaths in the West Bank since October 7, noting violations of international human rights law by Israeli security forces through disproportionate lethal force and targeted killings. The U.N. report also mentioned that 24 Israelis were killed in the same period due to clashes or attacks by Palestinians from the West Bank.

The report highlighted that some Palestinians killed were children armed with stones or firecrackers, posing no imminent threat. It noted the high number of upper body gunshot wounds and denial of medical aid, suggesting an intent to kill. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the pervasive impunity in the West Bank, enabling more unlawful killings by Israeli forces.

Hamas, which governs Gaza, opposes coexistence with Israel, while the Palestinian Authority has limited self-rule in the West Bank. Western allies of Israel, including the United States, have expressed concern over settler violence, imposing sanctions on violent settlers and urging Israel to take stronger action against such violence.