Israeli settlers keep Palestinian homes blockaded

Israeli settlers remained outside Palestinian homes in Qusra in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday after the Israeli military removed a makeshift tent but left the site, an AFP photographer and a trapped resident reported.

The blockade began on Sunday, when settlers set up the tent near homes in the village south of Nablus and blocked essential supplies from entering. Qusai Abu Rida, a Palestinian inside one of the houses, told AFP by telephone that residents had received no food or medicine and that he had electricity only because of solar panels.

The Israeli military condemned the settlers' actions, declared the area a “closed military zone” and said security forces were working to evacuate the civilians staying there. By mid-afternoon, the tent had been removed, but the settlers were still at the site, according to the AFP photographer. Abu Rida said the army had withdrawn and that the residents were still besieged.

The military said Tuesday it had received several reports of settlers entering and taking control of Palestinian homes and land in the area, calling the activity illegal and unacceptable. It also said disciplinary action would be taken against security personnel filmed at the site days earlier.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. More than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements in the territory among about three million Palestinians; the settlements are considered illegal under international law.