'No law in Israel': Kusra residents report feeling 'helpless' in face of extremist settler violence

Residents of the Palestinian village of Kusra in the West Bank describe feeling a profound sense of helplessness as extremist Jewish settlers have intensified their violence, imposing a siege that has disrupted daily life and access to essential services. Marmar Odeh, a resident, told KAN Reshet Bet that it was the first time he felt "there was no law in the State of Israel."

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After the army left, masked men came to my house, searched me, and checked my ID. There were also journalists at my house, including Israelis, who saw everything and took pictures.

The escalating tensions followed a makeshift siege imposed by extremists on Wednesday. During this period, masked individuals reportedly searched homes, checked IDs, and prevented a young girl from receiving timely medical care for a broken arm. Her ambulance was initially turned back by the army and settlers, delaying her transfer to a hospital.

Extremist settlers also set up tents within the village and severed electricity and water lines, leaving residents without power and running water for over two weeks. The water from cisterns, used as an alternative, is reportedly not suitable for drinking. Journalists, including Israelis, witnessed these events.

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They tried to evacuate her in an ambulance, but the army turned it back, and the settlers wouldn't let it leave either. The next day they obtained permission from the army again, and managed to get the ambulance in to take the girl and her mother to the hospital.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir commented that while he admires settlers who build outposts, "there are some among them who really need to be stopped." Leaders of settler councils, such as Yisrael Gantz, chairman of the Yesha Council, described the Kusra incident as "improper and unacceptable," stating there is "no justification whatsoever for violence against uninvolved people or against security forces."

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They can't even open the window of the house. They have no electricity, and they haven't had water for more than two weeks. They had some water in the cistern; every house has a cistern, but it's not the best water to drink from.

The Mayor of Kusra informed Al Jazeera that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have closed off the village, imposed a curfew, and deployed soldiers to dismantle the settler outpost. The situation highlights ongoing friction and violence in the West Bank, with Palestinian residents bearing the brunt of settler actions.

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There are some among them who really need to be stopped.