‘Water and salt’: Qusra residents trapped in Israeli settler siege

Israeli settlers are engaging in escalating violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, with villages like Qusra experiencing prolonged sieges. Despite the Israeli military's advanced capabilities, it has largely failed to remove settlers from these areas. This violence is supported by a broader movement, amplified under Prime Minister Netanyahu's government, aiming to solidify Israeli control and prevent a Palestinian state. Successive Israeli governments have facilitated settlement expansion, housing over 500,000 settlers, with radical outposts often operating with military protection. While the U.S. has criticized the settler actions, including calling them "terrorists," Israeli officials have downplayed the issue. The article suggests that Israel's reluctance to rein in settler violence stems from a political consensus that views the West Bank as Israeli territory and opposes Palestinian statehood, with even Netanyahu's critics supporting settlement growth.

Israeli forces have prevented Israeli and foreign activists from reaching Palestinian families trapped in three homes in Qusra, a town south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. Approximately 15 Palestinians, including two children, have been isolated for nearly a week as settlers surround their homes, blocking access with stones and a tent. Activists attempted to deliver food and water on Friday, but Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone and reinforced their presence, stopping groups like Peace Now. Italian activists who had reached the homes earlier were also forced to leave by Israeli forces. The families, who refused to leave their homes fearing takeover, are cut off from water and electricity and are unable to obtain basic supplies.

Activists attempted to deliver aid to two Palestinian families trapped in their homes in Qusra, occupied West Bank, for several days. The families, part of about a dozen households told to leave their properties, had their power and water supplies cut off. Activists left food and water near one of the besieged houses, stating Israeli forces prevented direct delivery, a claim denied by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF stated Qusra was a "closed military zone" preventing Israeli civilians from entering but not from transferring aid. Settlers had also erected a tent near the site, which was later removed by Israeli forces.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned a small group of extremist Jewish settlers for seizing a Palestinian American's home in Qusra, West Bank. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) evicted the settlers and made an arrest. This incident highlights a growing problem of unauthorized outposts and violence by disaffected youths targeting Palestinians. Israeli officials stated they do not accept vigilantes and are working to curb such violence, while also noting frequent Palestinian terrorist attacks against Jews. Israeli columnists and settlement leaders also criticized the actions, with some labeling them "Jewish terrorism" and criminals causing damage to Israel and the settlement movement.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has condemned an Israeli settler siege of three Palestinian homes in Qusra, near Nablus, as an "act of terror." The settlers have blocked access to the homes, cutting off residents from food, water, and electricity, which Palestinians state is an attempt to seize their land. The siege, which has lasted for days, includes the home of a dual US citizen. Israeli forces and police have reportedly attempted to evacuate the settlers, but they remained in the area. The family trapped inside fears their home will be taken if they leave.

Israeli troops forced two Palestinian families from their homes in Qusra, West Bank, despite a commander's promise to end a settler campaign. Soldiers also occupied eight other homes, claiming necessity for settler removal, but later relinquished six. Settlers continue to patrol the village, where a Palestinian was killed by a settler in March. The siege, which began Sunday, involved cutting utilities and blocking access. Critics within Israel view the events as a failure of will by security forces, while former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert described it as a "concerted and meticulous attempt at ethnic cleansing." An Israeli military spokesperson stated soldiers were ordered not to displace residents, but did not explain violations of these orders.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the actions of Jewish settlers who besieged the home of an American Palestinian family in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, calling it a "horrific act of terror." The siege, which began Sunday, involved settlers throwing stones and preventing the family from leaving their home, with dwindling supplies. Israeli military forces intervened, dismantling illegal outposts and detaining one Israeli. The owner's brother and nephew were evacuated by the military on Thursday morning. Palestinians and the Israeli opposition accuse the Israeli government of overlooking settler attacks, which have surged recently. The article notes that settlers have been building outposts, which the international community views as an obstacle to a Palestinian state.

Israeli settlers and soldiers have besieged two Palestinian families in their homes in the West Bank village of Qusra since the weekend, aiming to seize their properties. The families have been trapped without water or electricity, and medical care has been blocked. One family's young daughter fell ill, and an ambulance was initially prevented from reaching them. While an Israeli military commander visited and promised to remove the settlers, they reportedly remained outside the homes. The Israeli military stated commanders are concerned and that soldiers supporting the settlers will face disciplinary action. This incident is described as part of a broader campaign of displacement and attacks on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, often with impunity for Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Israeli settlers are increasingly defacing Palestinian homes and schools in the occupied West Bank with racist and threatening graffiti. Slogans like "Burn in hell" and "Get out of the village" are appearing, particularly in villages like Jalud, often accompanying violent settler attacks. Residents report that these messages aim to instill fear and signal an intent for Palestinian displacement. Researchers attribute these actions to deep ideological concepts within some settler groups, such as the Hilltop Youth, who advocate for expelling Palestinians and establishing Jewish control. The graffiti sometimes includes the names of deceased settlers, presented as a call for revenge, and invokes biblical passages to justify their actions.

Two Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra have been besieged in their homes by Israeli settlers since Sunday, with dwindling supplies and appeals for help. Israeli security forces reportedly withdrew on Wednesday, leaving about a dozen settlers at the site where they had previously been filmed praying with settlers. The families report settlers attempted to break into their homes, cut off utilities, and blocked access. Human rights groups have urged authorities to intervene, and a UN official stated the West Bank is "at breaking point." The Israeli military condemned the establishment of the settler outpost and stated disciplinary action would be taken against personnel documented at the site. This incident follows a pattern of settler violence in the region.