Israeli Settlers Besiege Palestinian Homes in West Bank Village of Qusra

Beginning around Sunday, August 9, 2026, a group of Israeli settlers besieged two Palestinian families in their homes in the West Bank village of Qusra, according to NPR, NBC News, PBS NewsHour, The Guardian, and BBC News. One of the families, headed by Qusai and Ahmed Ridi, includes American-Palestinian members; the other family, headed by Yousef Hassan, includes his wife and two young daughters. Settlers set up a tent outside the Hassan family home and, according to multiple reports, cut off access to food, water, and electricity, while also blocking medical care. The siege drew condemnation from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who described the settlers' actions as a "horrific act of terror," according to NPR and NBC News. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded to the situation; NBC News reported that the IDF said settlers were dispersed, though some remained at the scene. BBC News, reporting on August 12, similarly stated that Israeli security forces had reportedly withdrawn and that about a dozen settlers remained at the site. The siege had lasted several days by the time of these reports, with families trapped inside their homes throughout. As of the latest reporting, the situation in Qusra remained unresolved, with settlers still present at the site despite a partial security force withdrawal. It is unclear from available reporting whether the settlers' stated aim—reported by The Guardian as an attempt to take over the properties—has been independently corroborated by other outlets. The exact timeline of the IDF's involvement, including when forces first arrived and the nature of their intervention, is not fully consistent across sources. No information is available on any arrests, legal proceedings, or final resolution of the standoff.