Palestinians in West Bank strike in protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza

On Monday, Palestinians observed a general strike across the West Bank to protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza and express solidarity. The strike brought activities in cities, towns, and refugee camps across the occupied West Bank to a near standstill, shutting down economic activities, transport, and public and private institutions, while preparations for massive protest marches were underway.

According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, public and private schools and banking institutions also suspended their operations on Monday. On Sunday, Palestinian factions issued a joint statement calling for a "comprehensive strike" for Monday. The strike was called with the participation of all occupied Palestinian territories and the Palestinian diaspora, in alignment with a globally called solidarity strike focusing on Gaza.

The factions called for highlighting the ongoing horrific genocide in Gaza and the war crimes of the occupying state on the global stage. They urged immediate action to halt the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza and accused the international community of failing to impose sanctions or ensure accountability against the Israeli occupying state. Israel resumed lethal attacks on Gaza on March 18, violating a ceasefire agreement that had come into effect in January.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he would intensify attacks on Gaza as part of efforts to displace Palestinians from Gaza in accordance with the plan of US President Donald Trump. In the Israeli aggression that began in October 2023, more than 50,700 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far, the majority of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, a genocide case concerning Israel's war on Gaza is ongoing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).