In brief
Palestinian families in Qusra have been besieged by Israeli settlers since Sunday, cutting power and water. Activists attempted aid delivery, but Israeli forces blocked direct access, citing military restrictions. Settlers erected a tent after a brief dispersal, later removed by soldiers who used tear gas and stun grenades. The incident highlights tension over settlement expansion and displacement in the West Bank.
Activists try to deliver aid to Palestinians in homes besieged by Israeli settlers
Activists have attempted to bring food and water to Palestinian homes in Qusra, West Bank, which have been sealed off by Israeli settlers since Sunday. The settlers cut power and water, leaving families trapped inside.
Residents say Israeli forces denied them access, forcing aid to be left outside the houses. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) denied blocking delivery, citing the area as a closed military zone and stating civilians could not enter.
That Friday settlers re‑established a tent near the site after a previous dispersal operation, which was later removed by Israeli soldiers. Reports show IDF troops used tear gas and stun grenades during confrontations.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over settlement expansion, with more than 6,000 Palestinians displaced in the West Bank in recent years. Local reports reveal that vacated houses were used as barracks by Israeli soldiers, while settlers aim to expel Palestinian families—a practice deemed illegal under international law.
