Israeli militants have besieged two Palestinian families in their homes in the West Bank village of Qusra since the weekend, reportedly aiming to take over their properties. A group of settlers and soldiers set up a tent outside the home of Yousef Hassan on Sunday afternoon, trapping him inside with his wife and two young daughters. His mother, brother, sister, and three neighbours have also been blockaded, with their power and water cut off.
Hassan stated that settlers have thrown stones, used obscene language, and shouted during the night, describing it as a "state of terror." Settlers also reportedly blocked an ambulance from reaching his two-year-old daughter when she fell ill on Monday, though the girls and their mother were evacuated on Tuesday.
On Wednesday morning, Gen Avi Bluth, the commander of Israeli forces in the region, visited the families and promised to lift the siege, according to an Israeli military spokesperson and Hassan. Soldiers removed a tent but not other possessions, and settlers reportedly remained. An Israeli military spokesperson said commanders were "gravely concerned" and that soldiers who supported the settlers would face disciplinary action, but did not provide a timeline.
Chief of the general staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, met with senior commanders on Wednesday evening to discuss the situation. He ordered a battalion of infantry reservists back from leave to reinforce troops in the West Bank. A military spokesperson added that the military is working with police to bring "those responsible for the disturbances to justice."