Palestinian churches appeal to global Christian community over settler attacks
A Palestinian church committee warns that Israeli settler attacks are endangering the historic Christian presence in Palestine, urging protection for Palestinians, including Christians.
In a letter to churches worldwide, the Palestinian Presidential Higher Committee for Church Affairs said settler assaults have intensified across the occupied West Bank, including in Birzeit, Taybeh, and Ein Arik in the Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate.
According to the committee, the attacks range from assaults and arrests to land grabs and the expansion of illegal settlement outposts. The committee described them as part of a policy to alter the demographics and the geography of the area.
“These are not isolated incidents,” the committee said, adding that the violence is carried out under the protection of Israeli forces, without repercussions.
Citing figures from the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, the committee said the number of Israeli settlers in the West Bank reached 770,000 in more than 180 illegal settlements and 256 settlement outposts by the end of 2024.
Israeli settlers cut down olive saplings in Palestinian village south of Nablus
Israeli settlers have cut down dozens of olive saplings in the village of Burin in the occupied West Bank. Citing local sources, Wafa news agency reported a gang of Israelis destroyed the trees in the eastern part of the village, located 7km (4.3 miles) southwest of Nablus.
The settlers also left the land strewn with pieces of metal, intending to flatten vehicle tyres used by residents, it said.
Olive trees are important for Palestinians’ livelihood and culture, and one of the most enduring symbols of a Palestine free of Israeli occupation.
Israeli troops demolish Palestinian home in Halhul, occupied West Bank
Israeli forces have destroyed a Palestinian home north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank. The military posted footage of an army unit wiring the residence with explosives before detonating it and taking down the multi-storey home in Halhul.
Israeli soldiers stormed the neighbourhood early in the morning, forcing residents to leave and preventing them from approaching the property, Wafa news agency reported. Footage posted on social media showed Palestinian families walking in darkness as they left.
The home belonged to Mahmoud Abed who was shot dead by Israeli forces, alongside another Palestinian, after they carried out an attack on the Gush Etzion settlement south of Bethlehem in July last year.
The attack resulted in the death of an Israeli settler, according to news reports.
Israeli forces demolish infrastructure in Jenin, occupied West Bank
Israeli forces with military bulldozers have stormed Jenin in the occupied West Bank and began demolishing infrastructure. The raid occurred on Haifa Street in the west of the city, an Al Jazeera team on the ground reported.
The demolitions came on the first anniversary of Israel’s invasion of Jenin refugee camp and its surrounding neighbourhoods, which resulted in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians.
Jenin Governor Kamal Abu al-Rub told Al Jazeera that Israeli authorities extended the military assault on Jenin and its refugee camp until March. There is no justification for the incursion, which has exacerbated the suffering of residents, he said.
Israeli forces also raided Silat al-Harithiya to the west of Jenin, searching a number of homes, as well villages to the south.
Israel demolishes Palestinian shops in occupied West Bank
Israeli forces using bulldozers demolished six shops and a horse stable belonging to a Palestinian in the occupied West Bank. The demolitions were carried out near a Israeli military checkpoint northeast of Bethlehem.
Local sources told Al Jazeera the demolitions were carried out on the pretext that the structures were located in Area C – an area that accounts for about 60 percent of the West Bank and falls under complete Israeli control.
The UN’s humanitarian agency warned in December more than 1,000 Palestinians were displaced in Area C last year because of Israeli demolition orders – the second highest total since 2009.
