Israeli settlers have besieged two Palestinian families in their homes in the occupied West Bank since Sunday. The families, identified as the Abu Ridi and Hassan families, reported their water and power supplies were cut off, and food stocks were running low. This incident in the village of Qusra, near Nablus, has prompted urgent calls for intervention from human rights groups.
The siege began with settlers tearing down a wall outside the Abu Ridi family's home on Sunday evening. They used the stones to block the road, trapping seven people, including two young girls, inside. This action prevented other Palestinians from reaching them, exacerbating their critical situation. The families live in Area B, a part of the West Bank under Palestinian administrative control but Israeli security control.
This event fits into a broader pattern of escalating violence and displacement in the West Bank. A top UN official, Ramiz Alakbarov, recently told the Security Council that the West Bank is at a "breaking point." The Nablus Governorate, where Qusra is located, has been particularly affected by recent violence. All settlements are illegal under international law, and outposts like the one involved in Qusra are set up without official Israeli authorization.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eventually condemned the establishment of the new outpost, calling it "illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity." Major General Avi Bluth, head of the IDF's Central Command, and other senior officers visited the scene on Wednesday, expressing "grave concern." Earlier, the first soldiers to arrive were filmed praying with the settlers, raising questions about the initial response.
The implications of this ongoing violence are severe for Palestinian communities. The UN reports that 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, have been killed in the West Bank this year by Israeli forces or settlers. Since January 2023, 127 Palestinian communities have experienced full or partial displacement, affecting over 6,390 Palestinians. In 2026 alone, approximately 3,800 Palestinians, nearly half of them children, have been displaced due to settler violence, demolitions, and evictions.
The Palestinian village mayor, Abdel Azim Wadi, told the BBC that local residents have observed "a clear and sustained pattern of targeting Qusra." Last month, a newly completed mosque in Qusra was set on fire, with Hebrew graffiti sprayed nearby. Another incident in July saw settlers surround a Palestinian home in the nearby village of Jalud for over two weeks, leading to the owners fleeing and settlers taking over the property.
The international community will closely watch how Israeli authorities enforce their condemnation of such outposts and protect Palestinian residents. The UN's Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process highlighted that "settler violence has reached unprecedented levels." This ongoing situation demands a robust response to ensure the safety and rights of Palestinian families in the West Bank.