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

Israeli troops have recently departed from the West Bank, where they had established a siege on Palestinian residences. This occurred after settlers set up an unauthorized outpost on a family's land within Qusra village, situated near the northern city of Nablus. One family has been confined to their home since Sunday, with an ambulance providing food and taking a girl to receive medical care on Tuesday evening.

The Israeli military claims they were present to enforce a "closed military zone order," despite reports suggesting their withdrawal. The siege is part of a series of settler and military aggression that has been increasing in the West Bank since the end of July, following a deadly clash between settlers and villagers in Tell, near Nablus.

Israel's military pledged a strong response, including the demolition of a Palestinian refugee camp. Soldiers were even seen praying at the illegal outpost. Despite the small number of settlers involved, the army did not act swiftly to remove them. Soldiers were filmed at the scene, and Israeli media reported clashes with Israeli forces on Wednesday afternoon.

The military declared the area a closed military zone, though this restriction is rarely enforced against settlers. The siege of Qusra follows a pattern of settler aggression and expansion in the West Bank, particularly in Area C, which is under full Israeli control. This escalation is driven by radical settlers and the current Israeli government, which has accelerated settlement expansion since taking power in December 2022.