Aid left outside besieged West Bank homes as settlers and military clash

Activists placed water and food supplies near a house in Qusra, West Bank, where two Palestinian families have been unable to leave since Sunday after settlers blocked access and cut off utilities. The group said Israeli forces prevented them from handing the aid directly to the residents, forcing the supplies to be left outside, a claim the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied.

The IDF described Qusra as a "closed military zone" and said Israeli civilians, including the activists, were not allowed to enter the area. It added that a tent set up by settlers on Friday was later removed by soldiers who were "protecting the local residents."

Qusra mayor Abdul Azim Wadi told the BBC that Israeli forces were using some vacated Palestinian houses as barracks, while the military said its aim was to protect residents and that soldiers had been instructed to keep the families in their homes.

Earlier, a spokesperson had called the settlers' actions "deplorable" and "unacceptable" and said the government would investigate and arrest those responsible. The confrontation began on Sunday when settlers blocked the road to the families' gates and cut off power and water. Subsequent attempts by Israeli security forces to remove the settlers led to clashes involving tear gas and stun grenades.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions over settlement activity, which the international community considers illegal under international law, and raises questions about the enforcement of security measures in the occupied territories.