UN Blacklists 61 More Firms Over West Bank Settler Ties As Gaza Death Toll Crosses 74,000

The United Nations has blacklisted 61 more companies over business ties to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing its database to 214 firms from 11 countries, as the Palestinian death toll in the Gaza war crossed 74,000 amid a largely stalled ceasefire. Israel has rejected the UN move, calling it an attempt to target Israeli businesses.

The UN Human Rights Office said Friday that the updated database includes companies based in Israel, South Africa, China, the US, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Britain, Germany and Mexico. Five companies that appeared on the previous list were removed after the UN found reasonable grounds to believe their involvement in the specified activities had ended.

The database, first published in 2020 following a Human Rights Council mandate, does not have the power to force companies to change their activities. It is intended to identify businesses involved in specified settlement-related activities and could expose firms to pressure including boycotts or divestment. Newly listed companies include Israeli pesticide maker ADAMA, real estate group Alony Hetz and Spain's Salvat Logistica.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk said the report was a reminder that companies have human rights responsibilities and should carry out due diligence to ensure they do not become involved in violations or abuses. The UN said the companies were notified of their inclusion and given an opportunity to respond.

Israel's diplomatic mission in Geneva categorically rejected the database, saying it was being used as a blacklist against companies that had committed no wrongdoing and urging countries not to support the move.

Meanwhile, Gaza's Health Ministry said 74,016 Palestinians have been killed and 175,068 wounded since the war began on October 7, 2023. The conflict erupted after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

A ceasefire that took effect on October 10 has halted the heaviest fighting, but Israeli strikes have continued. Gaza's Health Ministry says 1,145 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire, while seven Israeli soldiers have died. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its overall figures and says women and children account for around half the Palestinian toll.

The wider ceasefire remains unresolved, with Israeli forces controlling more than half of Gaza, Hamas yet to disarm, a new Palestinian government not in place and reconstruction yet to begin. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas disarms.