Palestinian families besieged by settlers in Kusra, West Bank

Two Palestinian families in the village of Kusra, near Nablus, have been held inside their homes for several days by Israeli settlers, their relatives and neighbours say. The households report that their water and electricity supplies were cut and that food stocks are dwindling; seven people remain inside the houses, including two children.

Clashes and an army statement

The incidents provoked responses from human rights groups and the United Nations. According to witnesses, Israeli security forces clashed with a group of settlers and used tear gas and stun grenades during confrontations around the village. The Israeli army said that the establishment of the new settlement and the takeover of Palestinian homes are illegal and unacceptable.

Relief reached the families only yesterday when a Palestinian ambulance made it to Kusra, delivering food supplies and taking one child to be examined medically. Community members say the visit provided only temporary relief for those trapped inside.

Local activists and aid organisations describe the events in Kusra as part of a wider escalation of violence across the West Bank. The crisis has strained access to basic services and raised fears of further displacements.

United Nations data show that in 2026 roughly 3,800 Palestinians were displaced by settler violence, demolitions and evictions, with nearly half of those displaced being children. A senior UN official warned that the situation in the West Bank is "on the brink of breaking."

For the families in Kusra, immediate needs remain urgent: secure access to water, power and food, and protection from further attempts to seize or occupy their homes.

Photo: press material from the event