Occupation, violence, and displacement in the West Bank
Data files
Jun 25, 2025 version files 1.11 MB
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casualty-repository.xlsx
961.69 KB
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demo-repository.xlsx
93.75 KB
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palestinian-demographics.xlsx
32.23 KB
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README.md
6.65 KB
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settlers-updates.xlsx
10.78 KB
Abstract
Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank has intensified violence in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). This violence escalated after attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent military campaign in Gaza. This study examines the possible impacts of military and land occupation on displacement, injuries, and deaths in the West Bank. This cross-sectional observational study analyses casualties and displacement data in the West Bank and Israel from May 1, 2014, to June 30, 2024. Sources include the United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Statista, and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Death and injury rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated and compared across populations. Interrupted time-series analysis compared observed Palestinian deaths, injuries, and displacement to expected levels since October 2023. Chi-square analysis examined demolition patterns by West Bank area. GIS mapping methods visualized spatial variations in casualties and demolitions. Death and injury rates were substantially higher for Palestinians than Israelis: RR=5.72 (95% CI 2.38, 13.75; p <0.001) for deaths and RR=16.47 (6.86, 39.56; p<0.001) for injuries. Refugee camps had increased death rates: IRR = 7.91 (5.26, 11.89; p < 0.0001) compared to non-refugee camp populations. Since October 2023, West Bank deaths were 25% higher than expected: RR = 1.25 (1.15, 1.36; p < 0.0001) and displacement 17% higher: RR = 1.17 (1.12, 1.21; p < 0.0001). Nablus and Jenin recorded the highest fatalities. Jabal al-Mukkabir in East Jerusalem experienced the highest number of demolitions. Our study confirms a significant disparity in rates of conflict-related traumatic injuries and deaths between Palestinians and Israelis. The findings emphasize the need to limit military force against civilians, to hold the Israeli government accountable for demolitions and displacement, and to instigate protective measures in refugee communities. Policy efforts should prioritize conflict de-escalation, including reaching a sustainable political solution.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.fxpnvx147
Description of the data and file structure
The data was collected to explore the effects of the Israeli occupation on Palestinians. To that end, we have collected casualty and demolition data from the UNOCHA dataset; this data was originally extracted on July 15, 2024. These data document conflict-related incidents resulting in casualties, demolitions, and related metrics in the West Bank and Israel.
Casualty data was extracted from the “OCHA data on casualties” website, which provided information on dates, locations, type of incident, perpetrators, weapons used, victims, and outcomes of violent events specifically between Israelis and Palestinians.
As per UNOCHA, for an incident to be entered into the database, it must be validated by at least two independent and reliable sources. Incidents resulting in Israeli injuries are an exception to this rule, where information is based on media reports. Only casualties that took place as a result of confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis in the context of the occupation and conflict are included in the database. Those injured are recorded only if they were physically hurt in a relevant incident and received medical treatment at a clinic or hospital, or by paramedic personnel. Civilians are defined as persons who are neither members of security forces (including police) nor those who fulfil a combat function within an armed group.
Demolition data was extracted from the “OCHA data on demolition and displacement in the West Bank” website and includes the location of demolitions, the number of structures demolished, and the displacement caused.
Files and variables
File: demo-repository.xlsx
Description: Demolition data
Variables
- Dateofincident = Date demolition took place
- community_name = Community demolition took place
- Governorate = Governorate demolition took place
- TotalNumberofStructures = Number of structures demolished
- NumberofDisplacedPeople = Number of displaced people as a result of demolition
File: casualty-repository.xlsx
Description: Casualty data separated into two sheets, "clean-pali" and "clean-israel", which are for Palestinian and Israeli casualties, respectively
Variables
- date= Date incident(s) took place
- Gov= Governorate incident took place
- Community= Community incident took place
- Type= Type of incident that took place as defined by UNOCHA below:
- Major hostilities: one of the three major escalations between Israel and armed Palestinian groups in Gaza (Dec 2008 - Jan 2009, Nov 2012, and Jul-Aug 2014). For an automatic filtering of one of these events see options below. Hostilities that occurred outside of these three events are included under “other”.
- Access incident: includes attempts to access Israel without a permit; working or otherwise staying near the perimeter fence surrounding Gaza; the restricted fishing areas on the sea offshore Gaza’s coast; or ‘closed military areas’ in the West Bank.
- Demonstrations: organized demonstrations/protests, including clashes that erupted during such an event. Casualties during clashes that followed ad-hoc gatherings, altercations and stone-throwing incidents are excluded.
- *Search and arrest operations: *includes all operations by Israeli forces for this purpose in Palestinian localities. Casualties may have occurred during the arrest itself (e.g attempt to resist or escape) or during general clashes with residents triggered by the entry of the Israeli forces. Casualties during ad-hoc detentions and arrests (e.g. at checkpoints) are not included.
- Other: included all cases not covered by one of the abovementioned circumstances.
- total_incidents= Total number of casualties as a result of conflict-related incident
- Injuries= Total number of injuries as a result of conflict-related incident
- Deaths= Total number of deaths as a result of conflict-related incident
- Male= Total number of male casualties
- Female= Total number of female casualties
- Civilian_Victim= Total number of civilian victims
- Armed_Group_Victim= Total number of armed group victims
- Military_Victim= Total number of military victims
- Civilian_Perp= Total number of civilian perpetrators
- Armed_Group_Perp= Total number of armed group perpetrators
- Military_Perp= Total number of military perpetrators
- Non_military_Perp= Total number of non-military security forces perpetrators
- Disputed_Perp= Total number of military perpetrators
- Live_ammo_Weapon= Total number of times live ammunition used in conflict against victim
- Physical_Weapon= Total number of times physical assault used in conflict against victim
- Arson_Weapon= Total number of times arson used in conflict against victim resulting in victim being set on fire
- Rubber_Weapon= Total number of times rubber bullets used in conflict against victim
- Tear_hit_Weapon= Total number of times tear gas used in conflict against victim that resulted in victim being hit by canister
- Tear_inhale_Weapon= Total number of times tear gas used in conflict against victim that resulted in victim experiencing inhalation injury
- Other_Weapon= Total number of times other weapons used in conflict against victim
Files: settlers-updates
Description: Israeli settler population living in the West Bank by Governorate, and other relevant statistics
Files: palestinian-demographics.xlsx
Description: Demographics of Palestinians living in the West Bank by Governorate
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
- Statista (not uploaded, but can be found on site)
Data was derived from the following sources: