Union for Justice Foundation – 17 June 2025
The Union for Justice Foundation presents an overview of the most prominent violations committed by the Israeli occupation army and settlers against Palestinian civilians and their lands during May 2025. This report is based on data from the Monitoring Group, the Negotiations Affairs Department of the PLO, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, the “Peace Now” organization, and the documentation of the Palestinian Information Center “Ma’ta.”
Genocidal War on the Gaza Strip
Since March 18, 2025, the occupation resumed its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, intensifying air, land, and sea bombardment across the area, along with expanded ground operations and complete closure of border crossings. From October 7, 2023, to the end of May 2025, the war resulted in the deaths of 54,084 Palestinians, including 16,854 children and 12,400 women, and injured 123,308 others. Among the victims were 931 infants, 356 of whom were born and killed during the war. Since the March escalation alone, 3,924 Palestinians have been killed, and 11,267 injured. These figures exclude casualties from North Gaza, which has been inaccessible since May 23.
On May 22, Israeli authorities informed the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club of the death of a 33-year-old Palestinian detainee from Gaza, who died in Sde Teiman military camp on December 13, 2023—only days after being arrested on December 7.
In May, 28 humanitarian aid workers were killed—an average of one per day—bringing the total number killed since October 7 to 452, including 314 UN staff members. The number of journalists killed rose to 221.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has steadily worsened, with critical shortages of food, water, and medicine. Over two million Palestinians face catastrophic conditions due to the blockade. A limited Israeli plan for aid distribution began, managed through an organization backed by U.S. security and logistics firms at four distribution centers (three in the south and one in the Netzarim corridor separating north and south Gaza). However, OCHA rejected this militarized aid model, stating it contradicts humanitarian principles, endangers civilians, and fails to meet their needs or preserve their dignity. Israeli forces targeted civilians attempting to collect food at these centers, killing 13 and injuring 108.
In late May, the occupation issued evacuation orders for areas in North Gaza, Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah, making 31% of the Strip either militarily restricted or under forced evacuation since March 18. Military operations and bombardments damaged 81% of agricultural lands, with 78% inaccessible to farmers due to evacuation orders and military control—especially in Rafah and North Gaza. About 83% of agricultural wells were damaged, halting local food production, which had comprised 10% of Gaza’s economy pre-war.
Israel continued to target bakeries and communal kitchens. On May 21, the army struck a bakery in Gaza City, killing 10 civilians, while another in Khan Younis was bombed, resulting in more casualties. A mill and kitchen in Khan Younis and Gaza were also targeted days later. Al-Awda Hospital, the only partially operational hospital in North Gaza, was subjected to repeated attacks. Six hospitals, 20 health centers, and 27 medical points were placed under evacuation orders.
Violations in the West Bank and Jerusalem
Since January 21, the occupation has continued military operations in northern West Bank, preventing 33,000 displaced persons from returning to their homes in Tulkarm and Jenin. In Tulkarm refugee camp, residents were allowed to retrieve belongings before demolitions began on May 1, affecting 50 buildings out of 58 slated for demolition. In Nur Shams camp, around 50 homes have been destroyed since May 1. About 670 families were newly displaced from Jenin camp’s eastern neighborhood.
According to UNRWA, over 33,000 Palestinians (7,000 families) remain forcibly displaced from Jenin (10,700), Nur Shams (10,500), and Tulkarm (12,200). Ma’ta Center reported the Jenin operation displaced over 22,000 residents (23% of the city’s population), and nearly 90% of the camp’s population. Infrastructure damage reached 60%, including destruction of 42 km of roads, 99 km of sewage lines, and 120 km of water pipes. Around 600 homes were completely destroyed. Estimated damages: $310 million. The camp also suffered severe shortages of food, water, and electricity under siege.
On May 22, the army concluded a 9-day military operation in Bruqin and Kafr al-Dik (Salfit), imposing severe movement restrictions while settlers roamed under military protection. Main gates to Salfit were closed, forcing Palestinians to use unprepared detours, increasing travel time, costs, and hampering access to services. Garbage trucks were confiscated, and six schools were raided, causing material damage.
1) Martyrs and Injuries
18 Palestinians were killed in May, including 2 children and 1 detainee. Nablus recorded the highest toll (8), followed by Hebron and Tubas (5 each). Eight were assassinated by the army, and four killed during raids. At least 118 people were injured, including 23 children, a journalist, and one person with disabilities.
Since the start of 2025, 118 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including 23 children. Northern governorates (Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Nablus, Salfit) account for 90% of the deaths. Ma’ta recorded 18 martyrs and 219 injuries in May alone.
Notable victims include:
– Alaa Khudair and Omar Abu Leil (Nablus, May 2)
– Administrative detainee Muhi al-Din Najm (Jenin, May 4)
– Abdel Fattah Haribat (Hebron, May 7)
– Rami Kakhin (Nablus, May 8)
– Noor al-Bitawi and Hikmat Abdel Nabi (Nablus, May 9)
– Five youths in Tamun, Tubas (May 15)
– Mohammed Abu Labda (Jerusalem, May 16)
– Nidal Shaghnoubi (Nablus) and Naeel Samara (Salfit, May 17)
– Mohammed Jalaita (Jericho, May 27)
– Mahmoud Kharraz (Nablus) and Jassem Sada (Qalqilya, May 28)
2) Arrests and Raids
699 Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank and Jerusalem in May, including 33 children and 7 women. Most arrests occurred in Hebron (134), Tulkarm (88), and Ramallah (77). According to Israeli Prison Services, 10,068 Palestinians are currently detained, including 3,577 administrative detainees. Ma’ta reported 641 arrests and 179 detentions in the West Bank and Jerusalem, including 374 from Jenin and its camp.
The army carried out 1,349 residential area raids, concentrated in Ramallah (208) and Nablus (201). Ma’ta recorded 1,282 incursions, with 1,177 raids in Jenin alone.
3) House and Structure Demolitions
Since March 1, the occupation demolished 121 Palestinian homes and structures, most in Hebron (56). Additionally, 48 demolition or construction halt notices were issued. Since the beginning of 2025, 727 structures have been demolished—65% under the pretext of lacking permits. In Jerusalem, 50 structures were self-demolished out of 80 targeted. 17 structures were demolished punitively, displacing 20 families (79 individuals). Ma’ta recorded 52 homes completely destroyed, with 2,573 homes/structures partially damaged.
4) Land Confiscation and Bulldozing
During the reporting period, 48 dunams were confiscated in Salfit, Nablus, and Qalqilya. Military orders targeted:
– 2,224 dunams in Burin for a military tower
– 4,821 dunams in Awarta for road construction
– 2,374 dunams in Huwara for a security fence
– 7,311 dunams in Qabatiya and Beita to create a buffer around “Avitar” outpost
– 14,917 dunams in Fara’ta, Jit, and Tal for a buffer zone around “Havat Gilad”
The army razed dozens of dunams across the West Bank and destroyed infrastructure in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps. 1,068 olive trees were uprooted. Ma’ta documented 73 settlement activities, including land seizures, bulldozing, and road building.
5) Settler Attacks
321 settler attacks were recorded in May. These included seizing and planting on Palestinian farmland, vandalizing crops and trees, village assaults, home shootings, vehicle arsons, and theft of Palestinian property. Since January 2025, 223 settler attacks caused 591 injuries, averaging 44 injuries per month—the highest since 2005. Ma’ta recorded 406 settler incidents.
6) Violations Against Holy Sites, Education, and Media
Occupation forces executed a Palestinian youth at the Al-Aqsa Mosque steps and a settler ran over a Jerusalemite youth. Ma’ta recorded 34 attacks on religious sites, including mosques in Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Salfit, Nablus, and Tulkarm.
20 education-related violations were recorded. On May 4, 130 educators in the Northern Jordan Valley and 150 in Jericho were denied passage. On May 7, school was disrupted in Hizma (Jerusalem), and Huson Boys’ School (Bethlehem) was raided. On May 8, six UNRWA schools in Jerusalem were stormed and forcibly evacuated. UNRWA’s girls’ school in Jenin was turned into a military outpost. On May 14, 100 teachers were detained at Hamra checkpoint. Broqin Girls’ School (Salfit) and others in Bethlehem, Jericho, and Jerusalem were repeatedly raided.
16 journalist violations were documented. On May 2, journalist Ruwa Al-Dardery was shot in Tulkarm. On May 3, a settler detained 3 journalists in Ramallah and threatened them with gunfire. Journalists were repeatedly detained in Ramallah. On May 26, settlers attacked Jerusalemite journalists at Damascus Gate. On May 27, photographer Issam Rimawi was severely beaten in Ramallah. On May 30, Israeli forces opened fire on journalists in Tulkarm.
One medical team attack was documented: on May 27, the army shot at a Medical Relief vehicle in Nablus.
Conclusion
May 2025 witnessed the continuation and escalation of Israeli violations against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. These include an ongoing genocidal war in Gaza, leaving tens of thousands dead and wounded, alongside catastrophic humanitarian deterioration. In the West Bank and Jerusalem, extensive military operations, home demolitions, infrastructure destruction, mass arrests, and expanding settlement activity were observed. Settler violence surged, along with attacks on religious sites, schools, journalists, and humanitarian personnel. These documented practices constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
Under international law, Israel, as the occupying power, bears full responsibility for complying with humanitarian obligations, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. The acts described—deliberate killing of civilians, widespread property destruction, forced displacement, and settlement expansion—constitute grave breaches and may qualify as war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which holds jurisdiction over Palestinian territories. These violations also contravene international human rights norms and warrant independent and impartial investigations to ensure accountability under international legal stanrds.
