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Britain 'Deeply Concerned' by Israel's Operation in West Bank

A man stairs at a smouldering car in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on August 30, 2024, following an Israeli army raid. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
A man stairs at a smouldering car in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on August 30, 2024, following an Israeli army raid. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
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Britain 'Deeply Concerned' by Israel's Operation in West Bank

A man stairs at a smouldering car in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on August 30, 2024, following an Israeli army raid. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)
A man stairs at a smouldering car in the small town of Zababdeh, southeast of Jenin in the occupied West Bank on August 30, 2024, following an Israeli army raid. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP)

The British government said on Friday it was "deeply concerned" by Israel's ongoing operation in the occupied West Bank, warning that risk of instability was serious and that there was an urgent need for de-escalation.
"We continue to call on Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions," a spokesperson for Britain's Foreign Office said in a statement.
Clashes with Israeli forces in the West Bank have escalated since Israel's war with Hamas militants began in Gaza nearly 11 months ago.
More than 660 people - combatants and civilians - have been killed, according to Palestinian tallies, some by Jewish settlers who have carried out frequent vigilante-style attacks on West Bank Palestinian communities.
"We recognize Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are deeply worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure," the Foreign Office spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added the UK "strongly condemns settler violence", and that it was in no one's interest further conflict and instability to spread in the West Bank.

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Egypt-Somalia Military Cooperation Escalates Tensions with Ethiopia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives his Somali counterpart at the Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo in mid-August (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives his Somali counterpart at the Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo in mid-August (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt-Somalia Military Cooperation Escalates Tensions with Ethiopia

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives his Somali counterpart at the Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo in mid-August (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi receives his Somali counterpart at the Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo in mid-August (Egyptian Presidency)

After Somalia announced the arrival of Egyptian military equipment and delegations, Ethiopia, which has ongoing tensions with Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), voiced concern and hinted it “will not stand by.”

Ethiopian state media reported troop movements along the Somali border, raising fears of possible consequences, although Egypt has yet to officially respond.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that sending Egyptian forces to Somalia could “increase tensions” with Ethiopia but predicted that any fallout would likely be diplomatic, not military.

Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nebiat Getachew expressed concerns on Wednesday, saying Ethiopia is worried about the transition of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to a new peace support mission without addressing Ethiopia’s concerns.

He warned that this could “pose risks to the region.”

Ethiopia also stated it “cannot remain passive while other actors take actions that might destabilize the region” and said it is closely monitoring developments that could threaten its national security.

This follows statements by Somalia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Ali Abdi Aware, affirming that Egyptian military equipment and delegations have started arriving in Mogadishu as part of Egypt’s participation in peacekeeping forces.

The Somali ambassador called this step “important and the first practical move” to implement the results of the recent summit between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Cairo on August 14.

The summit led to the signing of a joint defense agreement between the two countries.

Egypt is preparing to join the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which will replace the current African Union mission by January 2025, according to the Somali ambassador.

Ethiopia’s Foreign Ministry criticized this move, arguing that “instead of continuing peace talks in Türkiye, which have made progress, the Somali government is working with outside parties to destabilize the region and increase tensions.”

The ministry warned of potential “serious consequences.”