Settlers maintain siege of Palestinian homes in West Bank as army withdraws

Israel's military has withdrawn troops after a days-long siege by settlers on Palestinian homes in the West Bank. One family on the outskirts of Qusra village, near Nablus, has been unable to leave their home since Sunday. An ambulance delivered food and took away a girl for medical treatment on Tuesday evening, but troops withdrew by Wednesday, according to sources.

Settlers were filmed clashing with Israeli forces in riot gear. Israel claims soldiers are still "operating" in the area. The siege is part of a wave of settler and military violence since late July. The Israeli government has pledged severe responses, including the demolition of a Palestinian refugee camp. Despite the small number of settlers involved, the army did not act immediately, and soldiers were even filmed praying at the outpost.

The military stated that the incident was continuing, and disciplinary action would be taken against security personnel involved. This reflects the expansion of Israel's settler movement into areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority, accelerating under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition since December 2022.