To date, approximately 45,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to Israeli military incursions in the refugee camps of the West Bank. The situation of prisoners on both sides of the conflict has been highlighted, emphasizing that many exchanged Palestinians have long periods in prison. Lawyer Sahar Francis explained that scabies has claimed the lives of at least 60 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails over the last 15 months.
It has been reported that by releasing Israeli hostages, Israel also carries out new massive arrests, including some previously released in earlier exchanges. According to those involved, this indicates that the Israeli judicial system does not seek justice, but operates as an instrument of oppression and control over Palestinian society. Furthermore, it has been warned that Israeli settlements and blockades are making the West Bank practically uninhabitable.
Reverend Munther Isaac and another cleric have highlighted the worsening situation in the region, describing how the construction of settlements and blockades are turning the West Bank into a series of open-air prisons. They have pointed out cases of abuses and human rights violations in Israeli jails and have praised Pope Francis's calls for peace.
Christian activists Sahar Francis and Rifat Kassis, along with Pastor Munther Isaac, have visited Italy on a tour organized by Kairos Palestine. They have recounted how Bethlehem is affected by around 80 checkpoints, which hinder the mobility of residents and has negatively impacted the local economy, especially in religious tourism. The Christian community in Bethlehem struggles to survive, facing economic and other challenges amid the devastation caused by the conflict in the region.