Israeli Settlers Return to Homes in Kusra and Jalud Hours After IDF Evacuation

On Thursday evening, dozens of Israeli settlers returned to homes in the West Bank villages of Kusra and Jalud from which they had been evacuated earlier the same day. This was confirmed by footage shared by local residents and the organization "Watching the Occupation." The return occurred just hours after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced deployment in the Kusra area to protect residents and allow them to remain in their homes.

Video recorded inside a home in Kusra showed settlers reestablishing a presence and effectively besieging the house again after IDF forces left the area. Several men from the Abu Ridi and Hassan families, the homeowners, were present. In Jalud, settlers were seen returning to the Tubasi family home, playing soccer in the yard while soldiers observed.

These events followed the overnight demolition of two illegal outposts in Area B near Kusra and Jalud by Israeli security forces, who also confiscated equipment and detained one Israeli. The IDF stated that its forces were positioned in Kusra to protect residents and maintain security, emphasizing that they were instructed to allow residents to stay in their homes and not to intervene in the nearby Palestinian family home adjacent to the dismantled structure.

The incident began on Sunday when dozens of settlers arrived in the Kusra area and besieged two homes in Area B, according to the organization "Yesh Din." The IDF evacuated the settlers amid clashes, fence dismantling, and road blockages, declaring the area a closed military zone. Seven Palestinians, including two young girls aged four and ten, were reportedly trapped in their homes for three days due to blocked access routes. "Yesh Din" also accused settlers of damaging electricity and water infrastructure.

The situation drew an unusual response from the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Herzog, who said the U.S. Embassy was directly involved and urged Israeli authorities to act. He labeled the settlers as "Israeli terrorists" and described the attacks on the Palestinian family as criminal acts.