Palestinians told to leave homes in village where Israeli settlers besieged houses

A dozen Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra were ordered to vacate their properties as Israeli military forces besieged the area, according to a recent report. The settlers had been occupying three homes in the region since Sunday, disconnecting electricity and water supplies. Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi of Qusra informed the BBC that the village had been designated as a closed military zone, and that Israeli forces were using some of the vacated Palestinian residences as military bases.

The Israeli military claimed their actions were aimed at "protecting residents," while an Israeli spokesman condemned the settlers' actions as "deplorable" and "unacceptable." The Israeli government vowed to investigate and prosecute those responsible. The settlers' actions were fueled by the swift expansion of settlements under the current Israeli administration, leading to a surge in settler violence as they sought to force Palestinians off their land.

All settlements are deemed illegal under international law. In addition to the three homes targeted, 11 other houses in the village were also ordered to evacuate by the army. Footage showed Israeli security vehicles, including a bulldozer, in the vicinity of Qusra. Israeli forces reportedly entered the homes of some residents on Thursday, arresting one person and detaining others.

One victim, Qaher Odeh, recounted how more than 20 soldiers forcibly entered his home in the early hours, breaking down the door and shouting for them to open up. Upon leaving the house, Odeh learned that his family had been forced to leave their residence and that soldiers had sealed off the entire area. After approximately 10 hours, some families were permitted to return, but their homes were found to be in a state of disarray.

Soldiers had reportedly thrown away food from refrigerators and stolen $1,500 in cash. The IDF denied these allegations. Mayor Wadi reported that the house had been attacked again overnight and that a few settlers remained in the area, hiding from the army. Qusra's residents had initially been blocked from their homes and had their electricity and water supplies cut off by settlers on Sunday.

A previous incident occurred when Israeli soldiers prayed with settlers, an act for which the military later stated they would face disciplinary action. The Abu Ridi and Hassan families had previously appealed for assistance on social media after their utilities were shut off. Their brother, a Palestinian-American businessman, had reported the incident to the U.S. embassy.

The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, denounced the settler intimidation as a "horrific act of terror," calling the actions "disgusting" and demanding an explanation. The situation in Qusra began on Sunday, when settlers blocked the road to the families' entrances and cut off their utilities. Israeli soldiers who arrived at the site were seen praying with the settlers, an act that led to consequences for the military.

The Abu Ridi and Hassan families had sought help on social media after their utilities were disconnected. A recent attempt by Israeli security forces to remove the settlers resulted in confrontations with a larger group, during which tear gas and stun grenades were deployed.