According to a report by Reuters on August 16, the current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Leo XIV, called on Israel on Sunday to 'stop violent acts against Palestinians in the West Bank areas.' Currently, there has been a surge in attacks by radical settlers in that region, and the village of Kufur is being besieged.
According to reports, Israeli settlers in the area cut off water and electricity supply, and surrounded several houses. Human rights organizations claim that this action is part of Israel’s concerted efforts to seize more land and further encroach upon Palestinian territory.
The Pope said, “I once again call for an end to the repeated violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.” However, he did not mention any specific conflicts or attacks.
"Afterwards, he added after his noon prayer: "I urgently call upon the international community to take action, push forward a solution between the two nations, and achieve lasting peace."
The Vatican has long supported the idea of establishing a Palestinian state. This concept has been recognized by more than 150 countries out of the 193 United Nations member states, and the territory includes the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the right-wing coalition government led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been carrying out large-scale settlement construction in the West Bank. Israeli Finance Minister Bezetel Smoltrih acknowledged that the purpose is ‘to bury the two-state solution.’
United Nations and the majority of national governments believe that these settlement points are illegal according to international law concerning military occupation. Israel claimed in the 1967 war it seized control of the West Bank, arguing that this territory was only "subject to controversy" rather than being under Israeli occupation.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights recently noted that in the Ras Al-Ain area of Kusla village on the West Bank, three Palestinian families—feuding about 15 people, including at least two children—have been trapped at home for a long time, living in "fear." These families accuse Israeli settlers of cutting off their water and electricity supplies.
OHCHR stated: "The criminal activities of these settlers have received support or acquiescence from the occupying country, Israel, which has put the lives of these Palestinian families in unbearable conditions. The apparent purpose is to force them to abandon their homes and land. These three families have little time left before they are forced to become displaced."
After the preliminary statement issued by the OHCHR, Samer Sangahi, Director of the United Nations Office to the Palestinian Territory, revealed to UN News that these families were subsequently transferred to the only remaining dwelling in the area, which is still under the siege of Israeli settlers.
Sangay pointed out: "The Israel Defense Forces once again shows their unwillingness to protect Palestinian communities. According to the Geneva Conventions, protecting civilians is their duty; even worse, the Israeli army may even collude with settlers, all of their actions aiming to expel Palestinians and take over their land."
