Key facts
- Israeli troops entered Palestinian homes in Qusra, West Bank, where settlers had reportedly been besieging families.
- The military stated soldiers were deployed to protect residents and maintain security.
- The siege by settlers began on Sunday, with families reporting dwindling supplies.
- Settlers reportedly blocked roads and threw stones at the besieged families.
- Israeli security forces were involved in confrontations with settlers.
- Operations were expected to continue until Sunday.
Israeli troops entered Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, where settlers had reportedly been besieging families since Sunday. The military stated soldiers were deployed to protect residents and maintain security, with operations potentially continuing until Sunday.
The families, identified as the Abu Ridi and Hassan families, reported that their water, power, and food supplies were running low. They described settlers attempting to break into their homes and throwing stones.
Palestinian security camera footage showed settlers tearing down a wall and blocking a road on Sunday evening, trapping seven people, including two young girls, in their homes. The area is designated as Area B, under Palestinian administrative and Israeli security control.
An Israeli human rights group, Yesh Din, had urgently appealed to the military for protection for the besieged residents and for the settlers' outpost to be evacuated. A Palestinian ambulance was eventually allowed to deliver food and take one child for medical treatment.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) condemned the establishment of the new outpost, calling the seizure of Palestinian homes "illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable." Senior officers, including Maj Gen Avi Bluth, visited the scene and expressed "grave concern." Clashes were reported between security forces and settlers, with tear gas and stun grenades used.