ISRAELI MILITARY FAILS TO EVICT SETTLERS BESIEGING WEST BANK VILLAGE

Israeli troops have been unable to remove settlers from the West Bank village of Qusra for more than a week, despite repeated deployments by the military. The settlers have encircled Palestinian homes, blocking supplies and preventing residents from leaving. One of those besieged is Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American who returned to his hometown out of concern he could lose his property, and who confronted settlers on his land on Tuesday. The Israeli military has detained one settler and dismantled their tents, but has not forced the group to leave the area near Nablus.

Observers attribute the military's inability to act to what they characterise as government backing for the settlement movement and the increasing influence of settler ideology within army ranks. Some soldiers who initially arrived at the scene were filmed praying with the settlers; the military subsequently vowed disciplinary action. The United States said it had requested action by Israel, citing the presence of the American citizen among those besieged. The siege has drawn international condemnation and prompted the UN to deliver aid to affected Palestinian families.

The standoff highlights what experts describe as a pattern of military inertia when tasked with stopping violence against Palestinians in occupied territories. The detention of settlers and dismantling of encampments represents the extent of enforcement action taken after more than a week of occupation. Reports also documented Israeli forces firing live ammunition at two children in a separate raid on the Am'ari refugee camp in the el-Bireh area, seriously wounding one, according to Palestinian medical sources cited by news outlets.