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Israeli settlers launched an attack on the Christian village of Taybeh in the West Bank on June 26, according to reports from OSV News. The attack, which involved setting fire to homes and property at the eastern entrance of Taybeh, coincided with a violent incursion into the neighboring village of Kafr Malik. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed that three people from Kafr Malik lost their lives during these events, while several homes and vehicles were also set ablaze. No injuries were reported in Taybeh.
Father Bashar Basiel of Christ the Redeemer Parish commented on the situation: “These days, we are living under the fire, barbarism and brutality of the settlers … and under the direct protection of the Israeli occupation army,” he stated. “We will win with hope. We are Palestinian Christians. We resist with our faith.”
In related incidents, a Palestinian boy was fatally shot by Israeli forces during a raid in Al-Yamun on June 25, as reported by Reuters via information from the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Hussein al-Sheikh, deputy to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, expressed concern over escalating tensions: “The government of Israel, with its behavior and decisions, is pushing the region to explode.” He urged international intervention for protecting Palestinians.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement acknowledging that dozens of Israeli civilians set fires in Kafr Malik and that mutual rock-hurling ensued between Israelis and Palestinians. IDF forces reportedly returned fire after being shot at by individuals they identified as "terrorists," resulting in fatalities. Five Israeli suspects were apprehended for further investigation.
Nadim Khoury, a resident of Taybeh and owner of Taybeh Brewery and Winery, noted increased settler violence over recent months: “Settlers have been coming to Taybeh property and grazing their sheep and cows on the wheat and barley crops... No one is stopping them,” he remarked.
Khoury highlighted challenges faced by locals: “Last night they started fighting with the Arab Bedouin... Everybody is afraid and panicked but don’t know what to do... People don’t know what to do or who to complain to if the government is with them.”
Reports indicate that soldiers often do not intervene effectively in such situations. In May, Israel announced plans for 22 new settlements across the West Bank—a move viewed as exacerbating tensions between settlers and local Palestinian communities.
Judith Sudilovsky contributed this report from Jerusalem for OSV News.
