Jerusalem: The Endowment Department of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem announced it has officially filed a complaint with Israeli authorities over encroachments by occupiers on church-owned land in the Tayasir area, situated in the West Bank governorate of Tubas. The department clarified that the complaint highlights attacks against local residents and the lands belonging to the Patriarchate in various locations.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli authorities have initiated a series of actions in response to the complaint, which includes pursuing those responsible and seizing heavy machinery used for land destruction and damage at the site. The department, during a meeting with representatives of the Israeli military authorities and the Civil Administration, described the actions by Israeli occupiers as a blatant violation of Church properties. They called for the immediate cessation of all damages, prevention of future intrusions, and legal protection for the Patriarchate's lands.
The department expressed its unwavering support for local residents, emphasizing its commitment to helping them maintain their dignity and live in safety and stability. It declared that protecting Church endowment properties is a non-negotiable issue and vowed to take all necessary legal and administrative measures to preserve their sanctity, Church identity, and lawful rights, while continuing to support the local population.
The incidents occur amid a rise in assaults by Israeli occupiers against Palestinians and their lands across the occupied West Bank, following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported that at least 16 Palestinians have been killed in attacks by Israeli occupiers in the West Bank since the start of 2026.
Data from the official Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission indicated that Israeli forces and occupiers executed a total of 1,819 attacks in March, comprising 1,322 by army forces and 497 by occupiers. Additionally, official Palestinian data reveals that more than 1,150 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured in attacks by Israeli army forces and occupiers across the West Bank since October 2023.