IDF evicts Palestinian families as settlers resist army operation to end siege
Families whose homes were surrounded by settlers were ordered to leave despite refusing to go, while the army said it was deploying forces to protect residents and 'prevent the continuation of the serious incidents'
Israeli settlers had been blockading the homes of Palestinian families in the village of Qusra, in the occupied West Bank. According to the Associated Press, the siege had been ongoing since Sunday, with settlers throwing stones, attempting to bring down a stone wall, and preventing occupants from leaving. The home's owner, Lou Ridi, reported that his brother and nephew had been defending the home without access to food or water for several days.
The Israeli army intervened, deploying forces to protect residents and prevent further incidents. According to Middle East Eye, the army dismantled two illegal outposts used by settlers to trap the Palestinian families and arrested one Israeli. Equipment was also confiscated. Haaretz reported that families were ordered to leave their homes, which were surrounded by settlers, despite initial refusals.
US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, condemned the actions of the Jewish settlers, calling the siege a "horrific act of terror". Le Monde English reported that Israel intervened at the request of the United States to try to impose order. The families were eventually evacuated by the Israeli military, with Qusai Abu Rida and his teenage son being evacuated on Thursday morning, according to the Associated Press.
Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Middle East Eye, NPR, Associated Press, Le Monde English — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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