Kathmandu— Escalating violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank has drawn international scrutiny following recent incidents in Qusra and Kour, where Palestinian residents were besieged, attacked, and deprived of essential resources. The events, which included arson at local mosques, have prompted accusations that Israeli authorities are not only failing to protect Palestinians but actively supporting settler activity through policy and inaction. UN officials report a pattern of displacement and dispossession, with nearly 3,800 Palestinians – half of them children – having been forced from their homes this year alone. The situation is further complicated by plans to shift security responsibilities in the West Bank from the military to civilian police forces, fueling fears of de facto annexation.

Siege and Attacks on Palestinian Villages

Towards the end of July, settlers targeted mosques in Qusra and Kour with arson. From August 9th, three families in Qusra – a total of fifteen people – found themselves confined to their homes, cut off from food, water, and electricity as settlers blocked access. When Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances attempted to deliver aid, they were attacked by the settlers. The situation drew unusual public criticism from US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who described the actions as “disgusting” and confirmed that the US embassy was involved in requesting Israeli intervention.

Military Response Questioned

Rather than intervening to protect the besieged families, the Israeli military forcibly removed two of them, along with six neighboring families, from their homes on August 13th. According to residents, the military relocated the families to a single home also at risk from settler violence. Abdel Azim Wadi, the mayor of Qusra, accused the IDF of colluding with the settlers, stating they were seen “praying together, barbecuing together and dancing together” rather than protecting the besieged families. The IDF operates a hotline, known as War Room C, which is used by settlers to report Palestinian building activities in Area C, further highlighting perceived bias.

Expansion of Settlements and Displacement

UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process Ramiz Alakbarov told the UN Security Council that the unrest in the West Bank stems from decades of unresolved conflict and an unlawful Israeli occupation. He reported that approximately 12,360 housing units have been approved or advanced in the West Bank since the start of 2026, with $431 million allocated for expanding settlements. This year alone has seen 76 Palestinian deaths due to actions by Israeli forces or settlers, including 18 children, alongside three Israeli fatalities. Alakbarov emphasized that “many incidents occurred in the presence of Israeli forces.”

Calls for Sovereignty and Policy Shifts

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced plans to replace the army with civilian police forces in the West Bank, ostensibly to focus on combating Palestinian terrorism and securing borders. This move was welcomed by settler leaders like Yisrael Ganz, head of the Regional Binyamin Council, who called for the cancellation of the Oslo Accords and the full application of Israeli law over the territory. The official position of the Netanyahu government is to dismiss attacks as the work of isolated delinquents, a claim undermined by ongoing settlement expansion and de facto annexation policies.

The situation in the West Bank remains volatile, with continued settler violence and displacement posing significant challenges to any future peace negotiations or resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UN continues to monitor the situation and call for accountability.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.