Overview
- Pope Leo XIV delivered the appeal on Sunday at his Castel Gandolfo Angelus prayer, calling for an immediate end to repeated attacks on Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and for urgent international action toward a two‑state solution.
- Rights groups and multiple reports describe a recent surge in militant settler attacks that include the reported siege of Qusra, encirclement of homes and cuts to water and electricity aimed at pressuring Palestinian residents.
- The Israeli military last week declared the Christian village of Taybeh a "closed military zone" that it said restricts Israeli entry to protect residents, a move that local clergy and observers say raises concerns about access, safety and independent reporting.
- Local Christian leaders including patriarchs and parish priests have publicly condemned settler harassment, described a climate of fear and called for concrete international protection for civilians and journalists.
- The Vatican reiterated its long‑standing view that a negotiated two‑state settlement with secure, internationally recognized borders is the only viable path to lasting peace, while commentators note continued settlement expansion under Israel’s right‑wing coalition is eroding those prospects.