In the occupied West Bank town of Qusra, Israeli forces have prevented activists from delivering essential supplies to Palestinian families whose homes have been surrounded by settlers for nearly a week.
Israeli soldiers have blocked a group of Israeli and foreign activists from reaching three homes in the Ras al-Ain area, which have been under siege since earlier this week. The activists, including members of the Israeli group Peace Now, were attempting to deliver food and water to the families, but were stopped by Israeli forces who declared the area a closed military zone.
Settler Violence and Military Intervention
Settlers have been surrounding the homes, blocking roads with stones and erecting a tent nearby, preventing residents from entering or leaving freely. Water and electricity supplies to the homes have also been cut, leaving around 15 Palestinians, including two children, struggling to obtain basic supplies.
The United Nations has expressed concern over the situation, stating that the families are "trapped inside their homes in a state of terror, unable to attend to their basic needs and without access to water or electricity". Israeli forces had earlier ordered the families to temporarily leave their homes, but they refused, fearing their homes could be taken over if abandoned.
Escalating Tensions and Proposed Policy Changes
Qusra has become a flashpoint for settler violence in the northern occupied West Bank, with the UN recording more settler attacks there than in any other community. The developments come as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered preparations for transferring responsibility for enforcing civilian law involving settlers in the occupied West Bank from the military to the Israeli police.
The situation in Qusra remains tense, with concerns over the impact of settler violence and the proposed policy changes on the Palestinian families living in the area.
