Kathmandu— United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has condemned Israeli settlers holding three Palestinian families under siege in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra near Nablus as “Israeli terrorists.” The unusual criticism comes as Israeli forces continue raids in Jenin, restricting aid access for Palestinians. Residents report being cut off from water and electricity, while UN officials warn of potential forced displacement. Huckabee’s strong language marks a significant departure from typical US diplomatic responses to settler violence, though skepticism remains about whether Israel will effectively address the situation.

Huckabee's Unprecedented Rebuke

Ambassador Huckabee, historically a staunch ally of Israel and supporter of West Bank settlements despite their illegality under international law, made the critical comments on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter). He described actions by the settlers as “horrific” and “disgusting,” adding there was “no excuse for such thuggish behaviour.” He stated that the US embassy had been actively involved and that Israeli forces were dispatched at their request to remove what he termed “Israeli terrorists.”

Huckabee’s choice of words is notably strong, representing one of the most forceful public rebukes issued by a US ambassador to Israel regarding settler attacks. US officials have routinely condemned settler violence in general terms but have not previously labeled settlers as “terrorists”.

Siege Conditions in Qusra

Palestinian residents of Qusra say they have been cut off from essential resources during the siege, which they believe is an attempt to seize their land. Loai Ridi, an American-Palestinian whose family owns a home in the village, said his brother and nephew are trapped inside, refusing to leave for fear settlers will take over the property.

The three families – comprising 15 people, including two children – have been confined to their homes since Sunday with no water or electricity. The UN human rights agency warned that “time is running out” before they are forcibly displaced. Al Jazeera reported that Israeli soldiers initially attempted to move the families while settlers remained present, but residents refused to cooperate due to past experiences of settlers taking over properties after temporary evacuations.

Israeli Response and Palestinian Skepticism

According to Israeli media reports, authorities have been attempting to remove the settlers with limited success. While Huckabee posted a video showing Israeli forces arriving at the scene, Palestinians express skepticism about the government’s commitment to resolving the situation. Abdel Azim Wadi, the mayor of Qusra, claimed that Israeli soldiers were seen “praying together, barbecuing together and dancing together” with the settlers, suggesting they are not genuinely interested in helping the besieged families.

The Israeli army has been accused of supporting settlers historically, and recent videos purportedly showing soldiers praying alongside them have emerged. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government relies on settler and far-right support, making it difficult to rein in violence or dismantle illegal outposts.

Growth of West Bank Settlements

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, with over 500,000 settlers now residing there. The number of new settlements and outposts has surged recently, jumping from an average of eight annually between 2012 and 2022 to 32 in 2023, then 62 in 2024, reaching 86 in 2025.

Settlers often harass Palestinian communities by cutting utilities, damaging property, and attacking residents, with the ultimate goal of displacing families and expanding settlements. Some settlers are motivated by religious beliefs, while others are drawn by lower costs of living and government incentives.

The situation in Qusra remains tense as Israeli authorities continue to attempt to remove the settlers, but Palestinians fear they will return. The long-term implications for the region remain uncertain given the ongoing conflict and expansion of settlements.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.