Escalation in West Bank, Gaza as OIC reports surge in casualties

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The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Media Observatory on Israeli Crimes Against Palestinians reported a sharp escalation in violations between May 12 and 18, 2026, including increased incidents at religious sites and a rise in casualties across the occupied Palestinian territories.

According to the weekly report, the period was marked by heightened tensions surrounding Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Al-Quds, where Israeli authorities approved a plan to confiscate around 20 historic Palestinian properties in the Bab al-Silsila neighbourhood, located near the mosque compound. The move further intensified concerns over the status of the Old City’s religious and cultural heritage.

The report also noted continued incursions by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir into the Al-Aqsa compound, alongside reported violations at the Ibrahimi Mosque and other mosques across the West Bank.

In the same period, the observatory documented 35 fatalities and 176 injuries, bringing the total number of Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, to 73,934, with 183,415 wounded, according to its figures.

The Gaza Strip accounted for 24 of the deaths and 150 injuries, with five additional bodies reportedly recovered from under rubble. In the West Bank, six people were killed and 25 injured during the reporting period.

Israeli forces carried out 299 raids across West Bank cities and villages, resulting in 120 arrests, including 15 children. The report said one child was killed and two others wounded during these operations, while settlers attacked five children in separate incidents.

During a raid on Qalandia refugee camp, forces entered two educational facilities: Al-Alam School and a training institute run by UNRWA.

The observatory further recorded widespread demolitions, including four houses, 41 commercial structures, two car washes, a room, residential walls, and a livestock pen, alongside land confiscations.

It also documented 119 settler attacks and 14 settlement-related activities over the week, describing a continued expansion of settlement activity across the occupied West Bank.