- Settlers began surrounding homes in Qusra, blocking roads and cutting off water and electricity to the residents.
- Israeli forces entered the area and ordered families to leave temporarily; however, residents refused and gathered in one house, fearing their homes could be taken over if abandoned.
- US Ambassador Mike Huckabee publicly condemned settlers as 'Israeli terrorists' in response to the siege.
- White House officials are pressing Netanyahu to publicly condemn the siege after learning that a Palestinian-American's home was targeted.
- Israeli forces removed a tent that settlers had erected near the homes, but Netanyahu has not commented on the situation.
- Settler violence in the West Bank has increased significantly, particularly since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks on Israel, with Netanyahu's government rapidly expanding settlements since 2022.
- Qusra has emerged as a flashpoint for settler violence, with the UN reporting more settler attacks there than in any other occupied West Bank community.
- Rights groups claim that settlers are attempting to seize properties in Qusra and neighboring areas as part of a strategy to expand their control over the land.
The U.S. is pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly condemn a siege by settlers in Qusra, where families are trapped without basic necessities.12678911
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee has called the settlers 'Israeli terrorists,' escalating tensions as Netanyahu faces political risks ahead of elections.
Settler violence has surged since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2022, with Netanyahu's right-wing government expanding settlements.10
Israeli forces have blocked activists from delivering aid to besieged families, with reports indicating that 15 Palestinians, including children, are without water or electricity.34
Activists attempted to reach the families in Qusra, but were met with military resistance.
Aysha Hassan, a resident, expressed fear, stating, "We are very afraid...the settlers are still here."
The United Nations has reported on the dire conditions, highlighting the humanitarian crisis as settlers attempt to seize land in the area.
Netanyahu's silence on the issue raises concerns about his political future, as condemning the settlers could alienate his voter base.
Rights groups warn that the settlers' actions are part of a broader strategy to expand their territory in the West Bank.12
“The UN says about 15 Palestinians, including two children, are trapped inside their homes in a state of terror, without access to water or electricity. Netanyahu, facing an election in two months, risks alienating settler voters who support parts of his right-wing coalition.”
