Israel's extremists say West Bank annexation is inevitable. They're wrong

The West Bank has seen a surge in settler violence and tensions in recent years. According to Haaretz, the reestablishment of settlements in the northern West Bank and an uptick in settler violence are part of a broader plan to normalize annexation, resulting from specific government policies.

Pope Leo has called for an end to violence against Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank. He urged the international community to take steps towards a two-state solution, describing it as necessary for a “fair and lasting peace.” The Pope's remarks came amid reports of intensified attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, including a siege in the village of Qusra where Israeli settlers surrounded Palestinian homes after cutting off water and electricity supplies.

The Vatican has supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been recognised by more than 150 of 193 UN member states as encompassing the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Live Mint, Al-Monitor, Free Malaysia Today — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.