Pope calls for an end to West Bank violence against Palestinians

AI Summary

Pope Leo urged an end to the violence against Palestinians in the West Bank amid escalating attacks by Israeli settlers. The settlers have cut off water and electricity around the village of Qusra, intensifying tensions in the occupied territory.

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Pope Leo called on Sunday for an end to violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, amid a surge of attacks by militant settlers and a siege in the territory's village of Qusra. Israeli settlers encircled houses after cutting off water and electricity, in what rights groups have said is a concerted effort to seize more land, and further eat into territory where Palestinians aim to establish a state.