Dozens of Israeli settler militants wearing masks launched an assault on homes near the village of Qusra in the West Bank on Saturday, marking the first significant attack following a recent standoff by settlers that attracted global attention.
During the incident, the settlers encircled a Palestinian residence, pelting stones at the property where seven Palestinians were trapped inside, as reported by witnesses to Reuters.
Saddam Oday, one of the trapped individuals, recounted that the Israeli military deployed tear gas into the house and detained its occupants while releasing him. He noted that the military did not apprehend any of the settlers involved and allowed them to depart.
Luay Bayrudi, the homeowner, described how upon the military’s arrival, the soldiers handcuffed, blindfolded, and physically assaulted those inside before eventually setting them free.
In response, the Israeli military stated that their troops and border police were dispatched to the location to disperse the “rioters” and safeguard the residents inside the targeted house.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his initial public statement regarding the events in Qusra, expressed condemnation for the violence in the area, attributing it to a “handful of rioters.”
Residents in the region have reported frequent incursions by settlers, including the recent attack on the homes besieged earlier this month, which triggered condemnation worldwide and a substantial deployment of Israeli forces that effectively confined residents to their residences.
According to Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American residing in one of the besieged homes, the settlers initiated the attack upon spotting residents working on a construction project, resulting in a barrage of rocks being hurled at them.
Witnesses have observed a growing trend of settler encroachments on Palestinian villages, like Qusra, as part of a broader strategy to annex more Palestinian land, encroaching on the territories intended for a future Palestinian state.
Incidents of violence by Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank have surged, with some emboldened by the Israeli government’s settlement expansion efforts under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership. The Prime Minister has refrained from commenting on the situation in Qusra.
The Israeli military has pledged to continue operations in Qusra and neighboring Jalud to prevent further disruptions and restore order in the area, emphasizing their commitment alongside the border police.
While the United Nations and numerous countries view the settlements as illegal under international laws governing military occupations, Israel disputes this perspective, considering the region as disputed rather than occupied.
