Palestinian family in West Bank fear settler violence will rob them of home

A week of clashes near Palestinian homes in Kusra, situated around 10 miles south of Nablus, has thrust the village into the spotlight of a surging West Bank conflict. The crisis began on August 9 when Israeli settlers obstructed access to three Palestinian residences and erected a tent near them, cutting off water, electricity, and trapping about 15 Palestinians inside the homes.

The situation remained unresolved as of August 16, with Pope Leo XIII calling for an end to the violence against Palestinian civilians and urging the international community to pursue a two-state solution.

Reports depicted the properties as besieged, featuring Israeli forces outside one of them. However, Israeli military statements initially focused on a single home near the tent, leading to confusion. By August 12, Israeli forces attempted to remove settlers from the area, but clashes ensued, with troops using tear gas and removing part of the tent. Settlers then tried to break into one of the Palestinian homes.

Senior Israeli commanders, including the head of the IDF Central Command, visited Kusra on August 12 to speak with the affected Palestinian family. They confirmed that the house had electricity and water infrastructure, while troops evacuated a tent where Israeli civilians were staying. The military claimed the individuals at the tent were "Israeli civilians," a term used by Reuters for the group involved in the confrontation.

The Border Police, responsible for removing civilians from the disputed site, worked alongside soldiers to maintain security.

Despite reinforcement efforts, the standoff persisted. On August 13, the IDF bolstered its deployment, deploying troops to protect residents and patrol the area. The number of settlers present fluctuated, and video footage showed seven settlers outside one affected home. Despite efforts to dismantle the encampment, settlers remained or returned after troops withdrew. Uniformed military personnel, participating alongside one side of the conflict, sparked debates about impartial enforcement.

Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to develop a plan for transferring civilian enforcement and public-order responsibilities to Israel Police, emphasizing the military's focus on counterterrorism, border defense, and protecting communities.