IDF Chief Orders Reinforcements Amid Settler Siege on West Bank Palestinian Village

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir held a situation assessment on Wednesday regarding the ongoing siege by settlers on the Palestinian village of Kusra, south of Nablus. Zamir instructed the deployment of an additional regular infantry battalion to strengthen operational control and prevent serious incidents in the area. The battalion, currently undergoing refresher training, will be rapidly deployed as needed. The IDF stated that additional forces remain on standby for activation.

Earlier Wednesday, Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blot visited Kusra alongside the West Bank Division commander and Border Police leaders. They oversaw the dismantling of an illegal settler outpost established adjacent to Palestinian homes, which had been besieged since the start of the week. While the IDF removed a tent blocking the access road, more settlers arrived, prompting security forces to use stun grenades to disperse them. The military also plans to evacuate another illegal outpost in the village of Jalud.

The IDF condemned the settlers’ actions against the Palestinian family, ordering disciplinary measures against soldiers filmed at the scene days earlier. The military pledged to continue firm and responsible operations to restore order and prevent recurrence. Meanwhile, former IDF Chief of Staff and Democratic Party leader Yair Golan sharply criticized the government, accusing it of enabling chaos in the West Bank that endangers soldiers and Israeli security.

"Every force diverted to handle Jewish rioters is a force not fighting terror or protecting Israeli citizens," Golan said. He warned that political backing for settler violence risks escalation and damages Israel’s legitimacy internationally. Civil rights group Peace Now demanded immediate removal of the illegal outpost and the lifting of roadblocks, calling the settlers’ takeover "organized criminal behavior" that terrorizes Palestinians and violates their freedom of movement.

The IDF also reported that an ambulance passage was coordinated through the closed military zone near Kusra, but Israeli civilians attempted to enter the restricted area under its cover, leading to security checks. The army emphasized its ongoing efforts to facilitate medical access while enforcing the closed military zone order issued due to repeated illegal settler incursions into Palestinian homes in the area.