A recent report by the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem offers a critical assessment of Israeli government policies and military conduct in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, framing them as part of a broader strategy of control over the Palestinian population. The report highlights a range of actions by Israeli security forces and settlers, including home raids, road closures, detentions, demolitions, and restrictions on access to essential services. B’Tselem characterizes these measures as arbitrary and primarily driven by a settler-colonial agenda, without sufficiently acknowledging the security threats Israel faces from Palestinian militant activity.

The organization focuses heavily on the Israeli military’s so-called “open-fire” policies, arguing that since October 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been allowed to use lethal force against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza even when soldiers face no immediate threat. B’Tselem cites regulations permitting soldiers to shoot at fleeing Palestinians who had previously engaged in stone-throwing or Molotov cocktail attacks. However, Israeli military sources and analysts emphasize the evolving and context-driven nature of these policies, particularly after escalations of Palestinian terrorism. For example, tightened open-fire rules in the West Bank followed security incidents in 2022, and further adjustments occurred in early 2025 amid ongoing threats posed by armed groups. In Gaza, the IDF asserts that increased permissiveness in the use of force came only after evacuating civilians from combat zones, where only militants remained.

The report also addresses Israel’s economic measures toward the Palestinian Authority (PA), describing them as a deliberate effort to “strangle” the Palestinian economy. B’Tselem notes the suspension of tens of thousands of Palestinian work permits in Israel, delays in transferring PA tax revenues, and threats to disconnect Palestinian banking from the Israeli and international financial systems. Israeli officials point to security concerns following the October 7, 2023 attacks as the primary motivation for these steps, alongside legal provisions allowing deductions from Palestinian funds connected to payments for prisoners convicted of terrorism-related offenses. While critics argue some Israeli policies exacerbate economic hardship, others caution against interpreting such measures as arbitrary punitive actions.

B’Tselem also scrutinizes Israel’s approach to Palestinian civil society, accusing the state of broadly labeling political and community organizations as security threats. The report particularly criticizes Israel’s designation of several Palestinian NGOs as terrorist organizations, highlighting groups such as Al-Haq, which Israel and some Western countries link to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, classified as a terrorist organization by multiple states. Additionally, the report challenges Israeli claims that PA educational materials promote incitement and antisemitism, though European institutions have repeatedly condemned the presence of glorification of jihad and violence in Palestinian textbooks.

The issue of prison conditions and treatment of Palestinian detainees receives significant attention in the report. B’Tselem alleges increased violence and abuse in Israeli prisons following the appointment of Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, suggesting a policy of revenge has been adopted without adequate legal or public checks.

On settler violence, B’Tselem contends that attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers are frequently enabled or unaddressed by state security forces, portraying the settlers, military, and police as acting in concert to control the Palestinian population. The IDF rejects this characterization, stating that it condemns nationalist-motivated violence and responds by detaining suspects and reinforcing security measures. The military acknowledges challenges in enforcing law against violent extremists but asserts that the police are primarily responsible. Some defense officials have criticized Israel’s current security leadership for insufficiently addressing Jewish extremist violence.

According to B’Tselem figures, from October 7, 2023, to June 30, 2026, Israeli forces killed 1,087 Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with a smaller number attributed to Israeli civilians. Israeli security forces emphasize that these operations target terrorists and armed militants. During the same period, Palestinian attacks resulted in the deaths of 77 Israelis, more than twice the number of Palestinians killed.

While B’Tselem’s report sheds light on troubling aspects of Israeli policies and their impact on Palestinians, critics argue that its analysis often lacks context regarding Palestinian violence and security challenges. The report’s contention that Israel is engaged in a systematic campaign to “eliminate” Palestinian life is viewed by some as a one-sided interpretation that downplays the complexities and reciprocal nature of the ongoing conflict.