The Israeli military announced plans to increase troop presence in the West Bank village of Qusra, south of Nablus, following an ongoing standoff where Israeli settlers have besieged two Palestinian families since Sunday.

The families of Abu Ridi and Hassan have been confined to their homes without access to water or electricity as settlers blockaded roads leading to their properties. Food supplies have also dwindled, raising humanitarian concerns.

Escalating Tensions and Failed Security Interventions

Initial Israeli security forces dispatched to the area were reportedly seen praying alongside settlers, an action that prompted the military to promise disciplinary measures. Subsequent attempts to remove the settlers resulted in clashes involving tear gas and stun grenades, but failed to resolve the situation.

Videos from the scene depict a significant deployment of Israeli security vehicles and personnel, with the area declared a closed military zone. A nearby settler outpost was reportedly demolished amid the unrest.

International and Local Reactions

Qusay Abu Ridi, one of the trapped Palestinians, confirmed ongoing attacks and the continued presence of settlers hiding nearby. His brother, a Palestinian-American businessman, has appealed to the US embassy for intervention.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the settlers’ actions, labeling them as "Israeli terrorists" and calling the intimidation tactics "disgusting".

Context of Settler Violence and Displacement

The incident in Qusra reflects a broader pattern of settler aggression in the West Bank. Last month, a newly built mosque in the village was set ablaze with Hebrew graffiti. Similar attacks have led to fatalities and widespread displacement.

  • According to UN data, 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, have been killed in the West Bank this year due to settler and Israeli military actions.
  • Three Israelis, including one civilian, have died in related confrontations.
  • Since early 2023, over 6,390 Palestinians across 127 communities have faced full or partial displacement.
  • In 2026 alone, approximately 3,800 Palestinians have been displaced by settler violence, demolitions, and evictions.

Palestinian village mayor Abdel Azim Wadi described the targeting of Qusra as "clear and sustained." Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, defended settlement expansion, asserting Israel’s historic and legal claims to the land and dismissing settlements as obstacles to peace.