Israeli settlers, supported by Israeli forces, have surrounded a Palestinian home in the village of Qusra, located south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. At least four Palestinians were reported trapped inside the home on Saturday, while settlers set fire to nearby land, according to Al Jazeera journalists present at the scene. Residents indicated that dozens of settlers had arrived in the village, throwing stones at locals and barricading themselves inside a house while Palestinians remained inside.
The village of Qusra has experienced an increase in Israeli settler violence over the past month. Since August 9, settlers have besieged three Palestinian homes in the Ras al-Ain area, trapping families and cutting off access to water, electricity, and other essential supplies. Additionally, settlers set fire to a mosque in the village in July.
Loui Abu Ridi, a resident trapped in his home for weeks, expressed concerns for safety, stating, "We fear for our own safety. Settlers are still moving freely around the house and attack the residents of the nearby houses too." He mentioned difficulties in obtaining basic supplies, particularly for elderly residents and children.
Palestinian journalist Sara Abu al-Rob reported that Israeli soldiers and settlers attacked six Palestinians in the village who were attempting to install protective measures on their homes. She noted that one of the besieged, Loai al-Bairoty, was injured during the incident, and residents claimed that the Israeli army was protecting the settlers rather than the local residents.
Instead of intervening to remove the settlers, the Israeli army arrested the six Palestinians before releasing them later. Qusra Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi stated that Israeli forces at the scene had attempted to arrest the besieged Palestinians.
Israeli forces have declared the area a closed military zone, restricting Palestinian movement in and out of Qusra by placing a gate at the main entrance. Palestinians traveling to the village are often forced to take alternative routes, which are frequently blocked by Israeli forces.
Abu Ridi described the situation as a "nightmare," stating that residents have been unable to sleep and must monitor security cameras due to the threat of settler attacks. He explained that coordination with the mayor is necessary to obtain food and supplies, which can take several days for approval.
On Wednesday, the Israeli military established three new roadblocks around the Ras al-Ain hill, isolating homes from the surrounding area. In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli military acknowledged responding to reports of "violent clashes" involving "Israeli rioters" in Qusra, stating that they removed the rioters from the home and confiscated their vehicles. The military indicated that forces would remain in the area to prevent further disturbances.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence in Qusra and Jalud, stating on X that he strongly opposes the actions of those violating the law and harming Israel's global standing. President Isaac Herzog and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the violence, with the Ministry labeling it as "disgraceful and criminal."
Settler attacks on Palestinian homes, businesses, and farmland in the West Bank have been common for decades, often supported or overlooked by the Israeli military. The frequency and intensity of these attacks have reportedly increased since Israel's military actions in Gaza began in October 2023, following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.