Christian Villages in Southern Lebanon Face Occupation, Isolation as Residents Wait in Limbo

A Palestinian family's home, still under construction in the occupied West Bank, has been seized by Israeli settlers, highlighting the escalating tensions and land disputes in the region.

Mohammad Salameh, the owner of the property near Jalud village, reported that settlers occupied his two-storey house, leaving him with no recourse despite appeals to the Israeli military and police. He fears the loss of his home, which he was building for his recently engaged son. Video evidence verified by Reuters shows settlers on the property.

“

Only God knows, if there is law and order then they will leave. If they succeeded with taking one, then the rest will follow.

This seizure is indicative of a broader trend. The UN reported a 130% surge in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages and agricultural land since 2023. Residents of Jalud have documented multiple settler attacks, including property damage and uprooting of trees. The recent incident is particularly troubling as settlers have moved closer to other occupied homes, with one house under construction now within 100 meters of the village's edge.

International law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention, considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal. However, Israel disputes this, viewing the territory as disputed land with historical Jewish ties. Settlement expansion and associated violence remain significant obstacles to Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, drawing condemnation even from staunch allies like the United States.

“

They have now moved down to within no more than 100 meters from the last house in Jalud, which is also a house under construction belonging to a resident.