Dozens of Masked Settlers Besiege Qusra Homes, Trap Palestinians, Set Fires as Siege Enters Fourth Week

On Saturday, August 29, 2026, dozens of masked Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli forces, attacked homes around the village of Qusra south of Nablus in the occupied West Bank — the first major flare-up since an earlier siege in the same area drew international condemnation. Settlers surrounded a Palestinian home and threw stones and flaming material while at least four residents were trapped inside; one resident said Israeli troops fired tear gas into the home and detained those inside while releasing him. Coordination was underway to let an ambulance reach the area to evacuate one injured person. The attack extended a siege that began August 9 on three homes in Qusra's Ras al-Ain area — now in its fourth week — during which settlers have cut water, electricity and supplies, burned a mosque, and attacked residents attempting to install protective window shields; a local mosque was set on fire in July. The Israeli military has declared the area a closed military zone with roadblocks at the village entrances, adding three more roadblocks in the preceding days. Resident Loui Abu Ridi said of the prolonged siege, 'We're not safe here. We fear for our own safety' — calling it 'a nightmare … 21 days.' Earlier the same day, resident Loai al-Bairoty was injured in a related incident.