GENEVA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Human Rights Chief Volker Turk on Tuesday called for an end to the sharp rise in deadly violence in the West Bank, urging accountability for the killing of over 500 Palestinians by Israeli Security Forces (ISF) and settlers.

UN Human Rights Office reports indicate that 505 Palestinians have lost their lives in violent clashes with Israel in the West Bank since Oct.7, 2023.

"It is unfathomable that so many lives have been taken in such a wanton fashion," the High Commissioner said, highlighting that the fatality verification and monitoring of over 80 cases by the UN Human Rights Office indicated consistent violations of international human rights law on the use of force by the ISF, characterized by disproportionate use of lethal force and an increase of evident planned targeted killings.

He also mentioned that these findings showed the systematic denial or delay of medical assistance to those critically injured.

"The violence by the ISF and Israeli settlers, against the backdrop of the scale of killing and destruction continuing in Gaza, have instilled fear and insecurity among Palestinians in the occupied West Bank," said the High Commissioner.

Allegations of unlawful killings must be thoroughly and independently investigated and those responsible held to account, stressed Turk. Enditem

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