Prolonged Encirclement in Qusra
The Palestinian village of Qusra, situated south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, has been under a continuous siege by Israeli settlers for a full week. Since August 9, dozens of settlers have surrounded three Palestinian residences in the Ras al-Ain area, located on the village's periphery. This encirclement has led to the disruption of water and electricity supplies, causing critical shortages of food and other necessities for the families trapped inside.
Approximately 15 individuals from the Abu Rida and Hassan families reside in these affected homes. Among them are two young children, both under the age of seven, and one individual who holds dual US citizenship. Local residents have reported that settlers from nearby outposts have been persistently attempting to claim these properties for several months.
Military Intervention and International Condemnation
The situation escalated on Thursday when the Israeli military issued an order for the residents of two of the houses to evacuate, consolidating all occupants into the third residence. Concurrently, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a known advocate for Jewish settlements in the West Bank, characterized the settlers involved in the siege as “Israeli terrorists.”
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have both issued condemnations of the siege, labeling it as both criminal and inhumane. Throughout the week, the Israeli army designated the affected area as a closed military zone, effectively barring both Israeli and international activists from reaching the beleaguered families.
Reports from Qusra indicated that the United Nations successfully delivered some aid to the area after coordinating with the Israeli military. This intervention provided a temporary respite for the families facing dire conditions.
Qusra's Geopolitical Context
Qusra is situated within Area B of the West Bank, a region that constitutes approximately 21 percent of the territory. In Area B, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is responsible for civil administration, including sectors such as education, healthcare, and the economy. However, Israel retains full security control over these areas, allowing its forces to enter at will.
Observers have noted that the events unfolding in Qusra align with a broader pattern observed across the West Bank. This pattern often involves the Israeli army deploying to an area, subsequently taking over Palestinian homes, and dispossessing residents of their properties, while settlers involved in such actions frequently face no arrests or legal consequences.
Escalation of Settler Attacks and Land Grabs
Data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reveals a concerning trend of settler attacks in the occupied West Bank. From January to June 2025, there were at least 3,033 recorded settler attacks, averaging six incidents per day. These attacks highlight a consistent and widespread issue affecting Palestinian communities.
Just last month, a similar siege occurred in the neighboring village of Jalud, resulting in the displacement of Palestinian families from their land, which was subsequently taken over by settlers. Qusra itself has been a repeated target of such aggression, including an incident last month where a newly constructed mosque was set ablaze.
Since October 7, 2023, coinciding with the start of what Israel terms its war in Gaza, settler attacks and land appropriations have seen a significant intensification across the West Bank. This escalation has occurred under the administration of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, which has openly supported the rapid expansion of settlements.
Currently, an estimated 700,000 Israelis reside in settlements, which are widely considered illegal under international law. In contrast, approximately three million Palestinians also inhabit the West Bank, a territory that Israel has occupied since 1967. The ongoing siege in Qusra underscores the persistent challenges and tensions in the region, with Palestinian residents facing continuous pressure and displacement attempts from Israeli settlers.
