Israeli security forces arrived Wednesday morning at an illegal settler encampment near the West Bank village of Qusra, where Palestinians say nearby homes have effectively been placed under siege for three days.
The forces intend to evacuate the site, but settlers who arrived in the area began blocking access roads with large boulders in an effort to prevent security forces from reaching it. Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth also arrived at the scene, while IDF and Border Police forces were attempting to clear the area without escalating the confrontation.
Settlers block roads as Israeli forces move to evacuate illegal outpost besieging Palestinian homes
Qusra council head Abdel Azim Wadi told ynet that the encampment had still not been evacuated by Wednesday morning. He said Civil Administration and IDF commanders arrived early and told Palestinian residents they would do everything possible to maintain security and calm.
The commanders later approached the settlers, Wadi said, but they refused to leave. He added that there was a heavy IDF presence in the area.
The settlers have been at the site for three days as an extension of the Tel Talpiot outpost. According to Palestinian residents, their presence has severely restricted access to nearby homes.
Wadi said Tuesday that the water supply to one Palestinian family’s home remained cut off by the local authority’s water company, while electricity was being supplied through a solar system. He also said the family’s food supplies were running low.
Security officials said earlier this week that the IDF was preparing to evacuate the outpost after soldiers were filmed praying inside the tent together with the settlers. The military did not initially explain why the site had not already been cleared.
Settlers block roads in Qusra
The IDF issued its first formal statement on the matter Tuesday, saying 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 way of life,” the military said.
Following reports of disturbances in the area, the IDF declared the site a closed military zone for anyone who is not a local resident.
“The IDF strongly condemns incidents of this kind,” the military said. “All those involved in these incidents will be dealt with in cooperation with the security forces.”
The military added that if reserve or active-duty soldiers are found to have been involved, they will face disciplinary action.