Palestinian Families Isolated by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank, IDF Calls Action Illegal

Since Sunday, two Palestinian families in the village of Qusra, near Nablus, have been trapped inside their homes by Israeli settlers. Their water, electricity and food supplies have been cut off.

The Abu Ridi and Hassan families say the settlers have blocked the entrances and roads around their homes, isolating the residents. Human rights organizations have called on the Israeli authorities to intervene and ensure their safety.

It was not until Tuesday evening that a Palestinian ambulance was allowed to reach the families. The crew delivered food and took away a child who needed medical treatment.

Security camera footage shows settlers demolishing a wall near the Abu Ridi family’s home and using its stones to block the road. As a result, seven people, including two young girls, have been unable to leave the house.

In a social media post, Qusay Abu Ridi described the situation as critical and said the family was “completely isolated.” Aysha Hassan, meanwhile, said the settlers had thrown stones at the family and tried to break down the gate to their home.

On Wednesday, clashes broke out between Israeli security forces and a group of settlers in the area where a new settler outpost had been established. Reports said about a dozen settlers remained there, while security forces intervened using tear gas and smoke grenades.

In a statement, the Israeli military condemned the establishment of the roadblock and the entry onto Palestinian property, describing the conduct as “illegal, reprehensible and unacceptable.” The IDF said border police had removed a tent used by the settlers and were continuing efforts to clear them from the area.

Israeli human rights organizations also responded to the incident. Yesh Din called on the military to protect the trapped families, remove the settlers from the area and hold those involved accountable.

According to Qusra residents, the incident is the latest in a series of repeated attacks. The village mayor, Abdel Azim Wadi, said it represented a “clear and consistent pattern of targeting” the community. A month earlier, a newly completed mosque in the village was set on fire, while graffiti written in Hebrew was found nearby.