Israel Imposes Punitive Measures Across Gaza, West Bank Amid Security Escalation

Amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley accuse the Netanyahu government of imposing collective punishment on Gaza's civilian population through widespread destruction and deprivation, effectively forcing Palestinians to leave their homes. The senators highlight severe restrictions on humanitarian aid, including banned food items in convoys, contributing to a dire humanitarian crisis. Following a deadly attack in Jerusalem, Israel has implemented harsh punitive measures in the West Bank, such as revoking work permits and threatening home demolitions, which Palestinians and international observers denounce as unlawful collective punishment, while Israeli officials justify them as necessary security deterrents. The situation has further intensified with Israeli attacks on Qatar’s territory, prompting Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to condemn the actions as violations of sovereignty and a threat to international peace, emphasizing continued diplomatic efforts to prevent bloodshed. In response, Qatar has established a legal team to pursue all available measures against the Israeli attacks, reaffirming its commitment to international law and sovereignty protection. These developments underscore deepening regional instability and the complex interplay between security measures and accusations of collective punishment amid ongoing violence.