Israeli settlers trap Palestinian families in Qusra for fifth day

The Story in Brief

Israeli settlers have besieged three Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra for five nights, cutting water and electricity and leaving families trapped with dwindling food supplies. The crisis began when settlers blocked roads and pitched tents on a hilltop. The Israeli military initially ordered a dozen households to leave, planning to use their homes as barracks, but reversed the order after complaints to the US embassy. Qusra mayor Abdel Azim Wadi said Israeli forces evacuated more than a dozen homes for their own positions. The military said it dismantled two illegal outposts and detained one Israeli.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the settlers 'terrorists,' a sharp departure from usual American language. Outlet Mathrubhumi reports that Israeli soldiers initially joined settlers in prayer before clearing them. The UN says about 3,800 Palestinians, including many children, have been displaced in 2026 due to settler violence and home demolitions. The Israeli government has approved nearly $800 million to expand settlements.