Masked Israeli settler militants launched an attack on homes near the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, marking the first significant assault following a recent siege that sparked international outrage. Witnesses reported that the settlers surrounded a Palestinian home, throwing stones while seven individuals were trapped inside. Among those trapped, Saddam Oday explained that the Israeli military deployed tear gas into the house and detained the residents, while allowing him to leave. The military did not apprehend any of the settlers and permitted them to depart.
The homeowner, Luay Bayrudi, revealed that upon the military’s arrival, the soldiers handcuffed, blindfolded, and physically assaulted those inside before releasing them. The Israeli military stated that they intervened to remove “rioters” and safeguard the residents within the house, though they did not immediately address why tear gas was used, or why residents were detained and assaulted.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly denounced the violence in Qusra, attributing it to a “handful of rioters.” The attack occurred near homes that had previously been besieged by settlers, causing a significant Israeli military presence that residents claim has confined them to their homes.
According to rights groups, the escalating settler presence in Palestinian villages like Qusra is part of a broader strategy to annex Palestinian land, undermining the prospects of a Palestinian state. Violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank has been increasing, with some emboldened by the settlement expansion overseen by Prime Minister Netanyahu. The United Nations and many countries view the settlements as illegal under international law, while Israel disputes this classification, considering the area as disputed rather than occupied.
The Israeli military pledged to maintain operations in Qusra and neighboring Jalud to prevent further disturbances and restore order in the region. As tensions persist, concerns grow over the implications of heightened settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.