Witnesses describe tear gas, stones in Israeli settler attack in Qusra

Witnesses in Qusra described a harrowing siege carried out by Israeli settlers on Saturday. Palestinian residents inside a home recounted an hour-long ordeal as dozens of masked settlers surrounded the house and hurled stones at it, according to reports to Reuters. Saddam Oday, one of seven individuals trapped inside the home, stated that the Israeli military deployed tear gas into the residence and detained those sheltering there, while allowing Oday himself to be released.

None of the settlers were detained or prevented from leaving freely, Oday told Reuters. The homeowner, Luay Bayruti, recounted that soldiers handcuffed, blindfolded, and physically assaulted those inside before releasing them. Bayruti showed a reporter his bandaged arm, which he suffered from a stone during the siege. Oday, who is also a medic, reported that four of those trapped suffered injuries from tear gas, and two were injured by thrown stones.

Nearby, Loui Ridi, whose home was among three besieged by settlers earlier in the month, observed the attack from his home, situated a few hundred yards away, and described the near-daily settler incursions, despite a substantial military presence.