Key facts
- Israeli troops entered Palestinian homes in Qusra, West Bank, where settlers had besieged families.
- The standoff in Qusra began Sunday when settlers blockaded three homes.
- Residents fear settlers will attempt to take over homes after troops withdraw.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the transfer of enforcement powers against Israeli civilians in the West Bank from the army to the police.
Israeli troops entered Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra on Friday, where settlers had been besieging families for days. The standoff, which began Sunday, has seen settlers blockading three homes, preventing occupants from leaving and raising fears of land seizure.
Qusai Abu Rida, a resident inside one of the besieged homes, expressed concern that settlers would return to attempt to take over the property once the army withdrew. He described the situation as a "cat and mouse" game, with Israeli forces intervening but settlers often reestablishing their positions. Activists attempted to deliver food and water to the families, but faced resistance from the army.
The events in Qusra are part of a broader wave of settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Rights groups and Palestinians argue that the Israeli government's policies, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to court ultranationalist voters, have emboldened settlers and made it difficult to restrain them. Palestinian officials report a significant number of attacks by settlers and a high number of Palestinian casualties this year.
In a related development, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Friday that he would transfer all enforcement powers against Israeli civilians in the West Bank from the army to Israel's police. Katz stated the military's role should be to combat terrorism and protect borders, not to pursue youths. Historically, the army has had limited powers regarding Israeli civilians compared to Palestinians.