CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday for an end to violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, amid a surge of attacks by extremist settlers and a siege in the territory’s village of Qusra.

The residents of two homes on the outskirts of Qusra had been under siege since August 9, when Israeli settlers surrounded the buildings in an apparent effort to compel their residents – including young children – to flee. Israeli soldiers have since been deployed to the road outside the homes, blocking the occupants from leaving while apparently attempting to prevent settlers from returning.

“I renew my appeal for an end to the repeated violence against the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank,” the pope said, without mentioning specific confrontations or attacks.

His comments come after residents of Taybeh, the West Bank’s only Christian village, appealed to Leo for help amid settler attacks threatening members of the community.

“I urgently ask the international community to take action so as to advance the two-state........

© The Times of Israel