We are unfortunately used to reading only bad news when it comes to relations between the so-called Israeli “settlers” and Palestinian Authority residents. A report from Shabbat evening reveals that things can be and often are very different from what the media shows you.

In the Palestinian village of Urif, two children aged 3 and 4 went missing. The concerned villagers immediately began an intensive search.

דיווח פלסטיני: שני ילדים, כבני שלוש, נעלמו בעיירה עוריף, דרומית לשכם, וחיפושים מתנהלים אחריהם. בסרטון נראים בפעם האחרונה מאז שנעלמו שני הילדים במצלמת מעקב באזור מזרח היישוב עוריף, סמוך להתנחלות “יצהר”. pic.twitter.com/eJ36Snt8e9

— Asslan Khalil (@KhalilAsslan) August 11, 2023

After the two children were spotted on perimeter security camera footage near the Israeli settlement of Yitzhar, the search focused on that area. Yitzhar residents joined the search and eventually discovered the two children sleeping in an abandoned house in the Kumi Ori neighborhood, which lies between the two communities.

Israeli soldiers brought the two missing children back to their concerned families. The rescue was celebrated in the village of Urif.

שני הילדים שנמצאו בריאים אחרי שנעלמו עקבותיהם בעיירה עוריף דרומית לשכם.
יש לציין שכנראה נמצאו ע"י כוחות הבטחון ליד ההתנחלות יצהר, בסרטון רגע מסירת כוחות הבטחון את הילדים למשפחותיהם. pic.twitter.com/fcqzwKaDSk

— Asslan Khalil (@KhalilAsslan) August 11, 2023

Established in 1983, the Yitzhar settlement is often at the center of controversy. However, this incident shows that despite political and territorial tensions, cooperation and humanity can be at the forefront at critical moments.