3 weeks ago
Israel Bolsters Troops in Settler-Besieged West Bank Village
Far away, in a place called the West Bank, some people called settlers set up a tent camp right in front of the homes of Palestinian families.
The settlers closed the road so the families could not leave, and they also cut off their water and electricity.
The families inside were very scared and had no food or medicine.
The Israeli army said the tent camp was against the rules and went to make the settlers leave.
The settlers did not want to go, so soldiers and settlers pushed and argued, and the soldiers used tear gas, which makes eyes sting and hurts to breathe.
The army took down the top of one tent but could not make all the settlers leave.
The next day, Israel sent more soldiers to the village to keep everyone safe.
The United Nations said about 15 people, including two children, were trapped inside their homes in fear.
Even the American ambassador said the settlers' actions were criminal and wrong.
The families are still hoping someone will bring them the food and medicine they need.
Israeli troops clashed with Jewish settlers in Qusra on Wednesday while trying to disperse an outpost set up in front of three Palestinian homes, deploying tear gas before withdrawing without clearing the settlers.
On Thursday, Israel's military said it had sent additional troops to Qusra to carry out "defensive missions and patrols" to maintain security and protect the area.
The United Nations said some 15 Palestinians, including two children, were being "trapped inside their homes in a state of terror" without access to water or electricity.
The military called the outpost "illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity," though witnesses said troops removed only one tent's cover before withdrawing, while the military said border police evacuated the tent.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israeli forces went "at our request to remove the Israeli terrorists doing this," calling the actions against the family's home criminal.
- Who
- Israeli troops and border police, Jewish settlers, and Palestinian families in Qusra, including residents Qusay Abu Reeda and Aysha Hassan; U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also commented, amid a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Troops clashed with settlers trying to clear an outpost besieging three Palestinian homes; after withdrawing, Israel sent more troops to the village, and the military said it was taking disciplinary action against personnel seen joining settlers in prayer.
- Where
- The outskirts of the Palestinian village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
- When
- Clashes occurred Wednesday, Aug 12; additional troops were sent Thursday, Aug 13; the siege began the prior weekend, with the outpost set up four days before the clash.
- Why
- The military sought to end what it called an illegal outpost that harmed residents and disrupted their lives, amid growing pressure to halt rogue settler land seizures; Palestinians say the siege aims to forcibly displace them from their land.
Critics of Settlement Expansion
Settlers and the Right-Wing Government
Settler Land Grab in Qusra
Critics of Settlement Expansion
The Israeli military called the outpost "illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity" that harms residents; the UN said trapped families were in terror without water or electricity, and the U.S. ambassador called the actions criminal.
Settlers and the Right-Wing Government
Settlers established and defended the outpost, resisted the dispersal attempt, and the military acknowledged it was still working to evacuate the civilians staying in the tent.
West Bank Settlement Expansion
Critics of Settlement Expansion
There is increasing pressure to halt "rogue land seizures" amid a sharp rise in settler seizures and attacks on Palestinians, who say the military allows this with impunity.
Settlers and the Right-Wing Government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government has spearheaded a rapid expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank, emboldening settlers.
Key facts
- Location
- Qusra, occupied West Bank
- Homes besieged
- 3 Palestinian homes
- People trapped
- ~15 Palestinians, including 2 children (per UN)
- Outpost established
- 4 days before the Aug 12 clash; siege began the prior weekend
- Military assessment
- "Illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity"
- Reinforcements
- Additional troops sent Aug 13 for "defensive missions and patrols"
- West Bank population
- ~3 million Palestinians and ~500,000 settlers
- Settlements and outposts
- 146 settlements and 390 outposts (Peace Now)
Quotes
Israeli military statement
Official statement by the Israeli military
“"illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable activity that harms the residents of the areas and disrupts their daily lives."”
theprint.in
“"We appeal to government institutions and to every free and honourable person to help us secure food and medicine."”
theprint.in
Aysha Hassan
Palestinian resident of a besieged home in Qusra
“"They tried to break the gate and started throwing stones at us, cursing and insulting us. We are dying of fear, extremely terrified."”
theprint.in
Mike Huckabee
U.S. Ambassador to Israel
“"The Israeli military and police have gone at our request to remove the Israeli terrorists doing this," he said. "The actions of those doing this to this family’s home is criminal."”
theprint.in
Sources
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