Jewish settlers besiege Palestinian families in Qusra

Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian families inside their homes in Qusra, south of Nablus, from Sunday and cut water and electricity, Al Jazeera reported on Aug. 13.

Residents described the campaign in the occupied West Bank village as an attempt to steal their land. Security camera footage from Qusra on Wednesday showed Israeli settlers surrounding one of the houses, while trapped residents said Israeli soldiers had failed to disperse the settlers despite intervening earlier in the day.

Aisha Abu Rida, one of the residents, told Al Jazeera settlers were blocking all entrances to her home. “We are surrounded by settlers, but we are steadfast, God willing. We will not leave our home, no matter what happens. Despite the water and electricity being cut off, we will remain steadfast,” she said.

Loai Ridi, an American-Palestinian who owns a house in the village, said from Toledo, United States, that his brother Qusai Abu Rida and 18-year-old nephew Ahmed were among those trapped. He said the family was relying on a temporary solar power system and leftover winter well water after supply lines were cut, and that Qusai had supplies for two to three days left.

Ridi said Israeli forces did little when his brother called for help on Sunday and alleged soldiers had knelt to pray alongside settlers in footage circulated on social media. He said more Israeli forces arrived on Wednesday, dismantled a settlers’ tent and clashed with about 50 to 60 people before withdrawing; later, the Israeli military said it would deploy an additional infantry battalion to the area.

The Israeli military said a day earlier it had received reports of settlers entering and seizing Palestinian homes and land in the area, calling the activity “illegal, reprehensible and unacceptable”. Qusra sits in Area B of the occupied West Bank, nominally under Palestinian civil administration, where Al Jazeera said violence and land seizure have intensified in recent months.