Kathmandu— Israel has dispatched soldiers to the occupied West Bank village of Qusra in response to several days of encirclement of three Palestinian homes by Israeli settlers. The situation escalated on Sunday when settlers began gathering around the properties, allegedly throwing stones and obstructing access for residents, including a Palestinian-American homeowner whose plight prompted an unusually strong rebuke from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about settlement building in the West Bank – considered illegal under international law – and accusations of insufficient action by Israeli authorities to prevent settler violence against Palestinians.

Siege of Qusra Village

Starting Sunday, settlers converged around three homes in Qusra, a village located approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Nablus. One of the properties is owned by Loui Ridi, a Palestinian-American residing in Ohio. Local officials reported that the settler group sometimes numbered several dozen individuals who allegedly engaged in disruptive behavior, including throwing stones and attempting to dismantle a stone wall, while also preventing residents from leaving their homes as supplies dwindled. Qusai Abu Rida, Ridi’s brother, stated they were moved by the Israeli military to another home but remained unable to leave the area.

International Response

The situation garnered international attention, with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee issuing a rare and critical statement regarding an incident involving a US citizen in the West Bank. “The actions of those doing this to this family's home is criminal,” he said, adding that the behavior was “disgusting” and offering no excuse. Despite his criticism of the settlers’ actions, Huckabee also defended the response of both US and Israeli authorities, stating the US Embassy had been actively involved and that the IDF and Israel Police were acting on their request to remove those responsible. The UN Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territory called on Israeli authorities to “immediately” act against the settlers, asserting that such actions are aimed at forcing Palestinians to leave their homes.

Broader Context of West Bank Settlement

The incident occurs amidst continued Israeli settlement building in the West Bank, which is widely condemned internationally as an obstacle to a lasting peace. More than 500,000 Israelis reside in the West Bank, while it’s also home to roughly 3 million Palestinians who seek it as part of a future state. Critics accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of turning a blind eye to settler violence, which has increased in recent years. The UN human rights office reported that 18 Palestinians have died in attacks involving settlers during the first seven months of this year.

Israeli forces remain deployed in Qusra as of Thursday, having dismantled two illegal outposts and detained one Israeli individual. Locals report the village remains effectively on lockdown, with restrictions on entry and access to essential supplies.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.