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West Bank: IDF declares Taybeh and Qusra closed military zones
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have declared two West Bank locations as closed military zones following escalating tensions and settler activity. In Taybeh, the last entirely Christian village in the West Bank, the IDF implemented the closure to protect residents from frequent settler attacks, including arson and property damage. However, local officials and activists argue the measure restricts the movement of residents and prevents journalists and human rights observers from documenting settler actions.
In the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, a multi-day siege by Israeli settlers has left approximately 15 Palestinians, including children, trapped in their homes without consistent access to water or electricity. The IDF declared the area a closed military zone during the standoff. Five Italian activists who had been attempting to deliver supplies to the besieged families were evacuated by the military to a nearby village.
Amid these incidents, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to transfer civilian law enforcement responsibilities in the West Bank from the military to the Israel Police. This move has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials, who view it as an attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the territory. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has condemned the settler actions, labeling them criminal.
Entities
Bashar Fawadleh · Israel Defense Forces · Israel Katz · Mike Huckabee · Qusra · Suleiman Khoury · Taybeh
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Five Italian activists were evacuated by the IDF to a nearby village after being blocked from reaching besieged families in Qusra. notiziedi.it · ladiscussione.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 15 Palestinians, including two children, were trapped in homes in Qusra without water or electricity. antiguatribune.com · barbadosgazette.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the actions of certain settlers as criminal and referred to them as 'Israeli terrorists'. www.gbnews.com · www.newarab.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The IDF declared Qusra a closed military zone during a standoff involving settlers and Palestinian families. antiguatribune.com · ladiscussione.com · srnnews.com · www.newarab.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The mayor of Taybeh stated that the military closure imposes additional restrictions on residents and fails to protect them from settlers. www.lifesitenews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The parish priest of Christ the Redeemer Church reported that settler violence in Taybeh has deteriorated dramatically in recent months. www.gbnews.com · www.christiantoday.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Defense Minister Israel Katz proposed transferring civilian law enforcement in the West Bank from the military to the police. notiziedi.it · www.newarab.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The IDF declared Taybeh a closed military zone to protect residents following violent attacks by Israelis in the region. www.lifesitenews.com · www.christiantoday.com