An Israeli soldier aims his rifle during a raid in the occupied-West Bank city of Qabatiya, north of Jenin. AFP
Israel on Sunday said its troops would remain for many months in refugee camps in the occupied West Bank and block the return of more than 40,000 Palestinians.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians living there have been displaced by an intensifying military operation.
"I am gravely concerned by the rising violence in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers and other violations, as well as calls for annexation," Antonio Guterres told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The Israeli army began a major raid against Palestinians in the West Bank's north a month ago, just after a truce went into effect in the Gaza Strip.
The West Bank attack has gradually expanded, spanning multiple refugee camps near Jenin, Tulkarem and Tubas.
Also on Sunday, Israel's military announced tank deployments in Jenin, where it was "expanding" operations.
This marks the first time tanks have operated in the West Bank since the end of the second Palestinian intifada, or uprising, in 2005.
Israeli violence in the West Bank has surged since the start of the Gaza war that began on October 7.
Israeli troops and terrorist settlers have killed at least 900 Palestinians in the occupied territory since the start of the Gaza war, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Guterres stressed the importance of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza since January 19.
"We are witnessing a precarious ceasefire. We must avoid at all costs a resumption of hostilities. The people in Gaza have already suffered too much," he said.
"It's time for a permanent ceasefire, the dignified release of all remaining hostages, irreversible progress towards a two-state solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with Gaza as an integral part."
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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