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Israeli occupier attacks threaten historic Christian presence in West Bank town

In Taybeh, one of the few Palestinian communities with a Christian majority in the occupied West Bank, fears are growing that Israeli occupier attacks on farmland and property could push more families to emigrate, threatening the town’s demographic character and historic Christian presence. Local officials and clergy warned of the impact of rising violence by Israeli occupiers, which has coincided with worsening living and economic conditions in the town. Taybeh, east of Ramallah, is one of the few Palestinian towns in the West Bank that still has a Christian majority, according to church and local accounts. Residents say the town’s Christian roots go back thousands of years. Residents say the attacks have deepened fears in the town, even as they stress their determination to remain on their land. Also Read: Pakistan raises red flag over illegal settlements in West Bank, calls for Israel accountability In recent years, Israeli occupiers have established several ill...

Israeli minister Smotrich against releasing Palestinian prisoners for cease-fire

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday opposed releasing Palestinian prisoners as part of any potential Gaza cease-fire agreement with Hamas.  Smotrich described the release of Palestinian prisoners as a “terrible and horrific event,” saying “I will not agree to it; a red line must be drawn.” Israel has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians since an Oct. 7 cross-border attack that claimed 1,200 lives and around 250 others were taken as hostages. Israeli actions have triggered a humanitarian disaster and an ongoing trial over alleged genocide at the International Court of Justice. Tel Aviv estimates 120 Israelis are still held in Gaza, while Hamas says many of them have been killed in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes. Israel holds at least 9,500 Palestinians in its prisons. “We saw what happened in the deal for Gilad Shalit (former Israeli soldier who was released by Hamas in 2011). We released Yahya Sinwar, and we see what we got in return,” Smotrich said. “With what logic will we release the next Yahya Sinwar and endanger thousands more Israelis?” In October 2011, Hamas released Shalit in exchange for Israel freeing 1,027 Palestinian prisoners, including Sinwar. Smotrich, leader of the far-right Religious Zionist Party, added: “I will oppose this, even if it ends my political career.” “If there are no red lines, you have no right to practice politics,” he said. He criticized the security establishment, claiming they are pursuing an illegal deal at any cost. For months, the US, Qatar, and Egypt have been mediating efforts to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas that would ensure a hostage exchange and a cease-fire in Gaza.

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