Israeli Settlers Block Firefighters Near Taybeh as Smoke Rises Over Christian Village
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 10
Israeli Settlers Block Firefighters Near Taybeh as Smoke Rises Over Christian Village
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 10
Summary
Palestinian firefighters reached a large blaze near Taybeh only after delays on Tuesday, with a priest and civil defence spokesperson saying Israeli settlers fired guns, surrounded responders and blocked a water tanker.
Israeli military forces also temporarily stopped crews until security coordination was arranged, they said, reflecting Area B rules that require Palestinian emergency access to be cleared with Israeli authorities.
Reuters saw smoke still rising from the burned hillside on Wednesday, and Father Bashar Fawadleh said the fire appeared to be arson, though he did not identify who set it.
The incident followed earlier attacks on Taybeh in which settlers were accused of torching fields and firing at homes, and came a day after a U.N. inquiry said Israeli authorities were directly involved in settler attacks.
As its residents flee escalating attacks, is the West Bank's last all-Christian village facing extinction?
Western nations sanction settlers, so why does the state-backed violence they commit only intensify?
With the UN confirming state-sponsorship, what is preventing direct international intervention in the West Bank?
Under Siege: The 2026 Crisis Facing Taybeh and the Last Christian Communities of the West Bank
Overview
In March 2026, Taybeh—the last fully Christian town in the West Bank—faced a sharp rise in Israeli settler incursions, leading to mounting restrictions and a deep sense of vulnerability among residents. These actions disrupted daily life and livelihoods, as land appropriation and movement limits undermined the town’s economic stability. With growing fears for their future, Taybeh’s community found it increasingly difficult to access essential education, housing, and jobs. This crisis prompted urgent appeals for external help to protect Taybeh’s unique heritage and ensure the survival of its inhabitants.