Activists delivered water and food to Palestinian families in Qusra in the occupied West Bank, after a settler blockade began on Sunday.
The two families, from the Abu Ridi and Hassan families, had their power and water supplies cut off, and by Friday residents could not receive aid directly.
According to the Israeli Defence Forces, Qusra was a “closed military zone,” meaning civilian activists could not be present. However, troops said they were allowed to leave supplies outside.
The IDF added that Israeli civilians, who were among the activists, were prevented from entering the area, yet they could still transfer aid to the Palestinian homes.
A settler camp set up a tent near the site on Friday, a day after an IDF operation to disperse it. The tent was later removed by Israeli forces while protecting the local residents.
Qusra mayor Abdul Azim Wadi told the BBC that Israeli forces were using some of the vacated Palestinian houses as barracks. The military said the aim was to protect residents and soldiers instructed that the Qusra residents would remain in their homes.
The Israeli military called the settlers’ actions “deplorable” and “unacceptable,” and pledged to investigate and arrest those responsible.
Settlements are deemed illegal under international law, yet the Israeli government has promoted their rapid expansion. Since January 2023, 127 Palestinian communities in the West Bank have faced partial or full displacement, affecting more than 6,390 people, the UN says. In 2026 alone, about 3,800 Palestinians were displaced due to settler violence, demolitions and evictions—including nearly half who are children.
