Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra on Saturday, throwing rocks, entering a home where residents had sought shelter and allegedly attempting to set fire to Palestinian-owned fields.
The violence marked the first major settler attack since tensions escalated earlier this month in Qusra and neighboring Jalud, where Palestinian residents have reported repeated settler incursions and restrictions on their movement.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, dozens of Palestinians barricaded themselves inside a house after settlers began throwing stones. Some settlers subsequently entered the property, prompting Israeli security forces to intervene.
The IDF said its personnel initially worked to remove what it described as rioters from the house and separate the two groups in order to protect those inside. It added that settler vehicles had been impounded and authorities were gathering evidence.
Palestinian accounts, however, disputed the military’s description of events. Local media and residents accused Israeli forces of protecting settlers during the confrontation.
Several Palestinians said they were injured after settlers used pepper spray, while others reported attempts to burn nearby Palestinian-owned agricultural land.
One resident alleged that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas into a house, detained Palestinians inside and allowed settlers to leave. Other residents accused soldiers of handcuffing, blindfolding and beating some Palestinians before releasing them.
The IDF did not immediately address the allegations involving tear gas, restraints or beatings but said it would continue operations in Qusra and Jalud to prevent further violence and restore order.
Saturday’s confrontation occurred close to three other homes in Qusra that residents say have been targeted by settlers during a siege lasting several weeks. Palestinians in the area say they have faced near-daily settler incursions despite a significant Israeli military presence.
Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank remains one of the most contentious issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the territory illegal under international law, a position disputed by Israel. Some Israeli officials defend settlements on security, historical or religious grounds.
The latest violence drew an unusual public condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described those responsible as a small group of lawbreakers.
Netanyahu said the violence was harming law-abiding Israelis, interfering with the IDF’s operations and damaging Israel’s international standing.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has also criticized extremist settler violence in the West Bank, recently describing some perpetrators as “Israeli terrorists” and warning that those responsible for violence in Qusra could face U.S. sanctions.
