Israeli settlers besiege Palestinian homes in Qusra as US ambassador calls violence 'terror'

Siege in Qusra

Since Sunday 9 August, Israeli settlers have blockaded three homes in the Palestinian village of Qusra, about 16 kilometres from Nablus in the occupied West Bank, trapping 15 Palestinians including two children inside without access to water, electricity, food or medicine, according to the United Nations. The settlers closed off the road to the homes, set up a tent in the front yards, and refused to allow anyone to enter or leave. One of the besieged homes belongs to Palestinian-American Loui Ridi, who resides in Ohio. His brother, Qusai Abu Rida, and his son were among those trapped inside before the military moved them to another home on Thursday morning, though they still could not leave the area.

The settlers threw stones, attempted to bring down a stone wall, and shouted insults at the families, according to local officials. The aim, Palestinians say, is to force them from their land so settlers can annex the property. The tactic was reportedly used successfully in a nearby village in recent weeks. Qusay Abu Reeda, trapped with his family, appealed for help.

We appeal to government institutions and to every free and honourable person to help us secure food and medicine.

US ambassador breaks ranks

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, appointed by Donald Trump in 2025 and known as a staunch supporter of Israeli settlements, issued an unusually sharp condemnation on Thursday. Writing on X, Huckabee called the settlers "Israeli terrorists" and their actions "criminal," saying the US had asked Israeli military and police to remove them.

The actions of those doing this to this family's home is criminal.

Huckabee described the behaviour as "disgusting" and said there was "no excuse for such thuggish behaviour." The rebuke was striking given Huckabee's past statements; in 2017 he told CNN there was "no such thing as the West Bank" and "no such thing as an occupation."

Military response

Israel's military said on Thursday it had deployed additional troops to Qusra to carry out defensive missions and patrols. Troops dismantled two illegal settlement outposts on the outskirts of Qusra and Jalud, seized equipment, and detained one Israeli. The military said soldiers were instructed that Qusra residents would remain in their homes and would not operate inside the Palestinian family's home near the dismantled tent site.

However, the BBC reported that while Israeli security forces took over the settlers' tent, other equipment remained and groups of settlers were still present in Qusra. Mayor Abed Al Athem Wadi said Israeli forces evacuated six or seven homes to take up positions, and informed families that operations could last until Sunday. He said settlers remained in other parts of the village despite the outpost removals. Earlier, troops had used tear gas in a failed attempt to disperse the settlers. A video from earlier in the week showed several Israeli men in military garb joining settlers in morning prayer in the tent; the military said it was taking disciplinary action against personnel involved.

Broader pattern of violence

The siege comes as settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank reach record levels. According to the UN, more than 1,100 settler attacks resulting in casualties or property damage have been recorded so far in 2026, putting the year on course to be the worst in more than two decades. Rights groups have accused the Israeli military of failing to prevent or even enabling settler violence. Aisha Mansour of Medical Aid for Palestinians said the Qusra attack was "what happens when state-backed violence becomes part of everyday life for Palestinians" and that it was happening "with the full backing and protection of the Israeli state." The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said the escalation of "settler terrorism" was a direct consequence of protection, political backing, and complete impunity provided by the government and military.