Israeli Settlers Return to Palestinian Village of Kusra Amid Military Crackdown

Tensions remain high in the Palestinian village of Kusra, south of Nablus, after Israeli settlers attempted to reestablish illegal structures on Palestinian homes this Friday morning. Israeli military forces had previously seized some houses in the area, with at least one still under army control, while Palestinian families remain trapped inside their homes. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) demolished the unauthorized outpost near Kusra and another near the village of Jalud the day before, confiscating equipment and detaining one Israeli for questioning.

In response to the unrest, the IDF deployed Golani Brigade soldiers to the Samaria region to conduct security patrols and maintain order. Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir halted a planned rotation of Golani troops destined for Lebanon, redirecting them to Kusra to end the ongoing siege. Central Command Chief Major General Avi Blot also visited the area alongside West Bank Division and Border Police commanders as the military considers increasing its presence to restore control in the West Bank.

The situation escalated after U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Herzog initially labeled settlers as "Jewish terrorists," sparking controversy; he later clarified that the issue concerns only a radical minority. Israel’s Yesha Council chairman Israel Gantz condemned the events in Kusra as serious and unacceptable, emphasizing that private decisions to establish outposts on private property are not justified, regardless of legality. He called on the Israeli government to annul the Oslo Accords and enable legitimate Jewish settlement in all open areas of the West Bank.

Despite the military dismantling settler tents blocking the village access road and using stun grenades to disperse new arrivals, settlers continue to return, prolonging the volatile standoff. The IDF stated that its forces will continue operations to secure the area and protect civilians. The developments highlight ongoing friction between settlers, Palestinians, and Israeli security forces in the West Bank amid broader political disputes over settlement policy.