Israeli settlers defy army, keep Palestinian families under siege in West Bank

Qusra, a village located south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, has been under siege by Israeli settlers since Sunday. A group of settlers established a makeshift tent near Palestinian homes, preventing essential supplies from reaching the residents. Qusra resident Qusai Abu Rida told AFP by phone that his family has not received food or medicine and only managed to secure electricity using solar panels.

The Israeli military condemned the settlers' actions and declared the area a "closed military zone," removing the tent on Wednesday morning. However, by mid-afternoon, an AFP photographer reported that the military had left and the tent remained, with settlers still present. Despite the military's announcement of sending additional troops, the siege continues, with settlers maintaining their position outside the Palestinian homes.

The Israeli military has directed efforts to maintain order and prevent further incidents, while also threatening disciplinary action against security personnel present at the scene. The settlement of Israelis in the West Bank, which began in 1967, is illegal under international law, and more than 500,000 Israelis currently reside in settlements.

Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed at least 1,097 Palestinians, including both militants and civilians, while Israeli figures record at least 48 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed during the same period.