Israeli soldiers accused of supporting ‘terrorist’ settlers in Qusra

On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deployed to the Palestinian village of Qusra to protect residents and maintain security, following the return of Jewish settlers to an illegal outpost after it had been dismantled. The IDF assured that troops would "not operate in the home of the Palestinian family located near the point where the evacuated and dismantled shed had been erected."

Despite the removal of sheds and temporary structures from the illegal outpost, tensions persist as settlers remain around the cluster of homes, restricting access for residents. The Qusra council head, Abdel Azim al-Wadi, reported that two families had returned to their homes, which were initially sealed off by the military from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, with troops allegedly removing a DVR from one home and destroying furniture in another.

Humanitarian concerns remain, as water and electricity supplies have not been restored, and UNICEF has requested documentation from the village to provide basic supplies and services. The UN Human Rights Office in the Palestinian territories warned that settler violence and attacks on Palestinian homes have reached "intolerable levels," urging Israel to take action against those involved in such incidents.

Since the establishment of the illegal outpost in November 2025, settlers have taken control of areas west of the village, leading to increased violence including home invasions, physical assaults, vandalism, theft, and arson. The UN also accused settlers of cutting water and electricity supplies to three Palestinian homes and blocking access to three families, including children, who had sought assistance from IDF troops.

IDF troops were also deployed in Jalud, a village south of Nablus, indicating ongoing tensions in the southern Nablus area.