- Dozens of settlers descended on the West Bank village of Qusra on Saturday, throwing stones and barricading themselves inside a house with Palestinians inside.
- Netanyahu condemned the violence in Qusra and Jalud, stating that it was committed by a handful of rioters violating the law and harming Israel's standing in the world.
- President Herzog also condemned the attack in Qusra, while Israel's foreign ministry labeled the violence as "a disgrace".
- The Israeli military dispatched forces to Qusra, removed settlers from the Palestinian home, confiscated vehicles, and opened a police investigation.
- Earlier in August, a group of settlers began blocking supplies from entering Palestinian houses on the outskirts of Qusra, trapping residents inside and drawing unusually strong criticism from the US ambassador.
- In nearby Jalud, masked settlers attacked and injured members of an NBC News reporting team and a Palestinian woman.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned a settler attack in the West Bank village of Qusra, where dozens of settlers barricaded themselves inside a Palestinian home, throwing stones at residents. The violence erupted after weeks of tension in the area, with Netanyahu labeling the actions as criminal and a grave injustice to the Jewish community.12
On Saturday, residents reported that a small group of settlers approached them while they were working on a house, calling for reinforcements that led to a larger group surrounding the Palestinians and hurling stones. The Israeli military dispatched forces to the scene after receiving reports of violent clashes, stating that they found settlers barricaded inside a home with Palestinian residents still inside.
The military confirmed awareness of Palestinian injuries and stated that they worked to separate the groups and confiscate vehicles used by the settlers. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as violence by Israeli settlers towards Palestinians has surged in recent months, often without legal repercussions. Over 500,000 Israelis live in settlements deemed illegal under international law, amidst a Palestinian population of about 3 million.
President Isaac Herzog also condemned the attack, with Israel's foreign ministry calling the violence a disgrace. The ongoing conflict continues to strain relations and complicate efforts for peace in the region.
“The attack drew rare condemnation from President Isaac Herzog and Israel's foreign ministry, which called the violence 'a disgrace.' In nearby Jalud, masked settlers injured members of an NBC News reporting team and a Palestinian woman they were interviewing.”
