RAMALLAH — The Israeli military on Sunday closed the West Bank village of Taybeh to non-residents, saying the measure was intended to prevent further attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the area. The order applies to Israelis entering the village but does not restrict Palestinian residents, according to the military.
The military said it had designated Taybeh, a predominantly Palestinian Christian village east of Ramallah, as a closed military zone because of what it described as violent attacks by Israelis in the surrounding area. It said soldiers would be deployed to disperse gatherings and detain suspects who violated the order, with the stated aim of protecting residents and maintaining public order.
The closure comes amid heightened tensions across the occupied West Bank, where attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and clashes involving Israeli forces have intensified in recent months. The United Nations has previously documented a sharp increase in settler violence and expressed concern over allegations that Israeli security personnel have at times accompanied or participated in attacks.
Taybeh has a significant Christian heritage and is among the few predominantly Christian Palestinian communities remaining in the West Bank. The village has previously drawn visits from senior Christian religious leaders following reports of settler attacks in the area.
Local residents and church figures have accused Israeli settlers of intimidation and attacks around the village. Those allegations could not independently be established in every reported incident. Israeli authorities have repeatedly condemned violence against Palestinians while maintaining that security forces are responsible for preventing attacks and enforcing order.
The latest measure follows a broader escalation in the West Bank after deadly violence in the village of Tell, southwest of Nablus, in late July. Human Rights Watch said four Palestinians and two Israelis were killed during violence linked to settler attacks there, while Israeli authorities subsequently expanded military operations and arrests in the area.
The military did not give a date for lifting the Taybeh closure. As of Monday, the village remained subject to the order, with Israeli forces saying they would enforce the closed-zone designation and respond to reported violations.
