Settlers have continued to blockade Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra for a second day, while an illegal encampment established near the houses remains in place despite the IDF saying it was preparing to evacuate it.
Footage published Tuesday showed that the settler tent had not been removed, a day after military officials said preparations were underway to clear the site. Palestinian officials in Qusra said settlers were still maintaining a continuous presence near several homes and that residents continued to face restrictions on movement and access to basic supplies.
Settlers blockade Palestinian homes for second day as IDF holds off evacuation
A security official said three illegal outposts had been evacuated elsewhere over the past two days, alongside offensive military activity in the area, and that further removals were planned.
“The IDF is preparing to evacuate additional outposts in the coming days in accordance with the situation assessment,” the official said.
In its first response to the alleged blockade, the IDF condemned the settlers’ actions Tuesday evening as “illegal, reprehensible and unacceptable,” but did not explain why the Qusra encampment had not yet been evacuated.
The site is one of several satellite encampments established from the nearby Tel Talpiot outpost in recent months.
Footage circulated Monday showed IDF soldiers praying alongside settlers staying at the Qusra site, whose presence has fueled tensions with Palestinian residents. Following publication of the footage, the IDF said commanders were investigating the incident and that disciplinary action would be taken depending on the findings.
Qusra council head Abd al-Azim Wadi told ynet that the situation had not changed since Monday.
“The settlers are still there. There are several outposts,” he said.
According to Wadi, between roughly 10 and 16 settlers were present at any given time. He said the presence was spread across several locations rather than a single tent.
“Between two of the sites there is a distance of about 200 to 250 meters, and there are another two or three tents in the area,” he said.
A day after IDF ‘preparations,’ settler tent still standing in Qusr
Wadi also alleged that settlers had taken over another structure belonging to a resident of Salfit.
“They do not leave the area, and some of them are there at all times,” he said. “The road to the site is open, and vehicles come and go bringing the settlers food, water and equipment.”
At the same time, he said, one Palestinian family remained without running water. Electricity at the family’s home and a neighboring house was being supplied through solar systems.
Wadi said one resident had run out of bread Tuesday morning and had to obtain some from a neighbor who still had flour and bread in stock.
“The family is still dealing with medical difficulties. Two of the daughters need medical treatment,” he said.
According to Wadi, Palestinian coordination officials told him that the settlers were expected to be removed from the area.
IDF condemns activity, says enforcement will follow
The IDF said it had received several reports in recent weeks of Israeli civilians entering Palestinian homes and land in the areas of Qusra and Jalud and taking control of them.
“This is illegal, reprehensible and unacceptable activity that harms the residents of the villages and their daily lives,” the military said.
The IDF said a closed military zone had been declared in the area following reports of disturbances, barring entry to people who are not local residents.
“The IDF strongly condemns incidents of this kind,” it said. “All those involved in these incidents will be dealt with in cooperation with the security forces.”
IDF soldiers pray with settlers near the West Bank village of Qusra
It added that any reserve or active-duty soldiers found to have taken part would face disciplinary action.
The military also addressed an incident involving an ambulance that had been coordinated to reach a Palestinian home in the closed military zone on Monday.
According to the IDF, troops discovered Israeli civilians inside the ambulance who were attempting to enter the restricted area under its cover. The vehicle was then inspected by soldiers and later by police.
The IDF said it routinely works to allow medical teams to move through the area, including permitting ambulances whose passage has been coordinated in advance to enter without inspection.
‘We can’t bring them food’
Wadi said Monday that settlers were effectively blockading three Palestinian homes.
“We can’t bring them food. The settlers disconnected the electricity,” he said.
He claimed the outpost had initially been established about six months ago in the yards of Palestinian homes and said the area is classified as Area B rather than Area C.
“Yesterday they set up tents in the yards of the homes and also disconnected the electricity,” he said, adding that residents were struggling to receive basic supplies.
Qusra lies near the village of Jalud, where similar incidents have been reported and Palestinian residents have left their homes.
Last month, Jalud resident Qais Abbad told ynet that he was unable to leave his home safely.
“The moment I go outside, they will beat me. They are all around our home compound,” he said.
Abbad said he and his brother, who lives nearby, had moved their wives and children elsewhere because of the situation.
He also said he had been threatened after refusing to sell his home.
“I told him I didn’t want to sell the house,” Abbad said. “He told me, ‘If you don’t sell, you’ll probably die.’”