Qusra Under Siege: Palestinian Families Face Shortages and Fears of Displacement

Al Jazeera English

900 views • 11 hours ago 4 min read

Video Summary

In the occupied West Bank village of Qusra, Palestinian families are trapped in their homes, enduring a week-long siege by Israeli settlers. "Two children under the age of five are there," reported Al Jazeera's Nur Odeh, highlighting the dire situation where residents have dwindling food supplies and are blocked from receiving aid.

Despite a spokesperson from the Israeli government condemning the settlers' actions as "deplorable and unacceptable," evidence suggests otherwise. An Israeli cabinet minister and two members of the Knesset reportedly made a secret visit to the settlers, offering support. Meanwhile, Israeli occupation soldiers have taken over a neighboring home, further escalating tensions. The plight of these families, particularly one belonging to a U.S. citizen, has drawn some international attention, yet similar sieges in nearby villages affecting non-U.S. citizens receive far less coverage, leaving many Palestinians feeling abandoned and vulnerable.

Short Highlights

Families trapped in homes for seven days.
Two children under five are among those besieged.
Food supplies are critically low, with only enough for two more days.
Israeli soldiers have occupied a nearby home.
Attempts to deliver essential supplies by peace activists were initially blocked.
UNICEF is awaiting coordination to deliver aid.
One besieged home belongs to a U.S. citizen who feels unprotected.

Key Details

Families Under Siege [0:00]

Palestinian families are trapped in their homes in Qusra, marking seven days of a settler siege.
Two young children under the age of five are among those confined.
Residents have minimal food, with supplies expected to last only two more days.

"They barely have food for two more days."

Escalating Tensions [0:00]

Israeli occupation soldiers have taken over a home in the area.
An Israeli settler drove near the besieged homes.
Attempts by Israeli peace activists to deliver essentials like water and bread were thwarted by Israeli soldiers.

"There were attempts by Israeli peace activists yesterday on Friday to bring some essentials, some water and juice and bread to the families. They were blocked by the Israeli soldiers."

International Attention and Inaction [0:00]

The mayor of Qusra is coordinating with the UN agency for children, UNICEF, to bring in essential and medical supplies.
One of the besieged homes belongs to a U.S. citizen, drawing some attention from U.S. lawmakers.
The U.S. citizen believes the U.S. and its ambassador have not done enough to protect them.

"He still does not see that the U.S. and that the American ambassador has done enough to protect them, to protect the property and the civilians who are inside, because the Israeli settlers have not left."

Government Response and Wider Context [0:00]

A spokesperson for the Israeli government called the settlers' actions "deplorable and unacceptable."
However, an article in the Ma'arif Daily reported that an Israeli cabinet minister and two members of the Knesset secretly visited the settlers, showing support.
These illegal settlement outposts are reportedly funded and protected by the Israeli army and government.

"One Israeli cabinet minister and two members of the Knesset secretly visited these settlers who are carrying out the attack over the past week. They showed them support."

Neglected Plight of Other Villages [0:00]

Similar situations of Palestinian families under siege by Israeli settlers are occurring in nearby villages like Tormus Aya, Jalud, and others.
These other villages receive significantly less attention because the families are not U.S. citizens.
Land is being taken from Palestinians, and they have no one to call for protection, not even the Palestinian police.

"And it's upon us to try and make it as close as possible to these areas to report their stories, because nobody else would."