Dozens of masked Israeli settler extremists launched an assault on homes surrounding the occupied West Bank village of Qusra over the weekend, marking the first significant attack following a recent standoff in the area that garnered international attention. Witnesses told Reuters that in one incident, the settlers encircled a Palestinian residence, hurling stones while seven individuals were trapped inside.
Saddam Oday, one of the trapped Palestinians, recounted that Israeli military forces fired tear gas into the house, detained the residents, and released him while leaving the others behind. The owner of the targeted house, Luay Bayrudi, reported that upon the military’s arrival, the soldiers handcuffed, blindfolded, and physically assaulted those inside before eventually letting them go.
Israeli military officials stated that troops and border police intervened to disperse the “rioters” and safeguard the inhabitants within the besieged house. However, they did not immediately address inquiries regarding the use of tear gas, detainment, and physical abuse directed towards the residents.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denounced the violence in Qusra, attributing it to a small group of troublemakers. He also condemned similar incidents in the nearby village of Jalud.
Residents of Qusra have reported frequent incursions by settlers, with one homeowner, Loui Ridi, witnessing Saturday’s attack from his own residence. These assaults occur despite a heavy Israeli military presence in the area. Settler violence has been escalating in the region, with rights groups noting a pattern of increased settler activity near Palestinian communities like Qusra, aimed at annexing more Palestinian land.
The Israeli military vowed to continue operations in Qusra and Jalud to maintain order and prevent further disturbances. The settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law by the United Nations and most countries, though Israel disputes this characterization, viewing the territories as disputed rather than occupied.
The surge in settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has raised concerns, with some attributing the escalation to the expansion of settlements under the Netanyahu government’s leadership. Netanyahu has yet to comment directly on the situation in Qusra.
