This recent report from Nablus is reprinted from the newsletter of the Boulder-Nablus Sister City Project.
The update offers a window into the current status and the myriad and mounting challenges our friends endure day in and day out:
Sadly, today brought very disturbing news from Nablus.
Israeli settlers have taken over the summit of Mount Ebal, one of the two mountains embracing our city. As many of you know, Nablus lies between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Mount Gerizim has long been under Israeli control, with settlements, military facilities, and a large army base overlooking the city. Mount Ebal has also contained a closed Israeli military installation for decades, with surveillance towers and radar systems that have been inaccessible to Palestinians for more than fifty years.
Today, however, the situation escalated dramatically. Around 600 Israeli settlers have established a new outpost on the summit, moving in with residential containers and taking control of land that has historically been classified as state land under Jordanian administration. This is another step in the ongoing expansion of settlements across the occupied West Bank.
At the same time, demolition orders continue to be carried out across Area C. Homes have recently been demolished in Salfit, Beit Dajan near Nablus, and in several communities around Jerusalem and Ramallah. Since the beginning of this month alone, more than 22 Palestinian homes have reportedly been demolished. Sadly, these events receive very little international media attention despite their profound impact on thousands of families.
Many people here believe that the current political uncertainty is being used to accelerate facts on the ground while international attention is focused elsewhere. Meanwhile, the nightly military raids, arrests, violence, and the devastating war in Gaza continue without relief.
Alongside the security crisis, we are also facing an increasingly severe economic one.
For nearly two years, Israeli restrictions on banking relations have created an extremely difficult financial situation. Palestinian banks face growing obstacles in transferring funds to Israeli banks. As a result, liquidity problems have intensified, businesses struggle to complete payments, and many banks have become reluctant to accept cheques. Commerce is slowing dramatically.
One of the most visible consequences is the recurring fuel crisis. Every couple of weeks, fuel stations across much of the West Bank run dangerously low because importers face enormous difficulties paying suppliers through the banking system. Informal and costly alternatives have emerged, placing even greater pressure on businesses and ordinary families.
Life is becoming harder with each passing day. Yet, despite everything, our people continue to show remarkable resilience and determination.
We pray that better days will come soon—for Palestine, for the region, and for everyone who longs for justice and peace.
Thank you for standing with us, for listening, and for continuing to care.
And before I finish, I would like to ask you something from the heart:
When peace finally comes, will you come and visit us in Nablus?
We would be honoured to welcome you and show you the beauty, history,
and humanity that continue to survive despite everything.
With warm wishes to you all.