Israeli settlers maintain siege of Palestinian homes in West Bank after clashes with troops

Israeli settlers continued their siege of Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, blocking access to essential food and medical supplies for residents trapped inside. The blockade began Sunday when settlers erected a tent near homes in the village, located south of Nablus. Israeli troops intervened, clashing with the settlers in an attempt to dismantle the outpost. Witnesses reported that the military declared the area a "closed military zone" and removed the settlers' tent on Wednesday morning. However, by Wednesday afternoon, settlers remained at the scene, with an AFP photographer observing them sitting with chairs and blankets outside the besieged homes. Qusai Abu Rida, a Palestinian inside one of the homes, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that residents had received no food or medicine, relying on solar panels for electricity. He confirmed that the army had withdrawn, but the settlers were still present at their doorstep. The Israeli military condemned the settlers' actions as "illegal, reprehensible and unacceptable," stating that disciplinary action would be taken against security personnel filmed at the site. The military announced plans to deploy an additional infantry battalion and place more soldiers on standby to restore order and prevent further incidents. This event occurs against a backdrop of escalating settler violence in the West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023. International law considers all Israeli settlements and outposts in the occupied West Bank to be illegal. The surge in attacks and land seizures targeting Palestinians has persisted for years, often with minimal legal consequences.

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We have received no food and no medicine.