Two Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra have been under siege by Israeli settlers since Sunday, with their access to water, electricity, and food severely restricted. The families, Abu Ridi and Hassan, have appealed for assistance as tensions escalate in the area.
On Wednesday, Israeli security forces withdrew from the settler outpost after confrontations with extremist settlers, though about a dozen settlers remain. Initial reports noted soldiers praying with settlers upon arrival, raising concerns about impartiality.
Palestinian security footage revealed settlers dismantling a wall near the Abu Ridi home and using the debris to block roads, isolating seven residents, including children, and preventing others from reaching them. The village lies in Area B, where Palestinian authorities manage civilian affairs while Israel controls security.
Qusay Abu Ridi described their situation as critical and isolated, emphasizing their right to live safely on their own land. Aysha Hassan recounted settlers attempting to forcibly enter their home and subjecting them to verbal abuse and stone-throwing, leaving her family terrified.
Efforts by Israeli journalists to access the site were blocked by settlers and unassisted by soldiers, who declared the area a closed military zone—an order reportedly not enforced against settlers. The Israeli human rights group Yesh Din called on military authorities to protect the Palestinian residents and remove the illegal outpost.
Following international attention, a Palestinian ambulance was permitted to deliver food and transport a child for medical care. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) condemned the settlers’ seizure of Palestinian homes as illegal and unacceptable, promising disciplinary action against security personnel involved in earlier incidents.
Clashes between Israeli forces and settlers included the use of tear gas and stun grenades as authorities sought to evacuate the outpost tent. Local officials report a pattern of settler aggression in Qusra, including recent arson attacks on a mosque and graffiti in Hebrew.
The UN has highlighted a surge in settler violence across the West Bank, with dozens of Palestinians killed and thousands displaced this year. The escalating conflict follows deadly incidents in nearby villages, intensifying fears of further displacement and violence.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN rejected claims that settlements hinder peace, asserting Israel’s historic and legal rights to the land and vowing continued expansion of settlements despite international criticism.
