The UN Human Rights Office says Israel is facilitating an environment characterised by fear, forcing Palestinian communities from their homes and land, Al Jazeera reports.

“Settlers, acting with the protection and support of Israeli security forces, are escalating violent attacks on herding communities in the South Hebron Hills, Jordan Valley, and East Jerusalem that have been encircled by settlements and outposts,” the office said in a statement.

In incidents monitored by the UN Human Rights Office, settlers attacked women and children in or near their homes, set fire to and vandalised property, stole livestock, and destroyed infrastructure to prevent access to water.

“Alongside demolitions carried out by the Israeli civil administration, such attacks are forcing Palestinians to leave their lands. This, in turn, aids consolidation and expansion of Israeli settlements and outposts in the areas,” it said.

“Such attacks fit within long-standing trends of organised violence against Palestinians committed with impunity and with the backing of Israel forces but reflect an increase in intensity and overt state support since October 7.”