Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Home In West Bank Village Of Qusra

Dozens of masked Israeli settlers attacked homes near the West Bank village of Qusra on Saturday, marking the first major incident since an earlier settler siege in the area drew widespread international attention this month.

Palestinians Trapped As Stones Thrown At Home

Witnesses said settlers surrounded a Palestinian residence and threw stones at it while seven people were trapped inside. One of those trapped, a local medic, said Israeli military forces later fired tear gas into the home and detained the residents, while allowing the settlers involved in the attack to leave without arrest.

Homeowner Describes Rough Treatment By Military

The owner of the home said that once military forces arrived, those inside were handcuffed, blindfolded, and beaten before eventually being released. He said he and six others were trapped for more than an hour while settlers threw rocks, and showed visible injuries he said resulted from the attack. According to the medic, several residents suffered injuries from both tear gas exposure and thrown stones.

Israeli Military Says It Acted To Protect Residents

In a statement, Israeli military officials said troops and border police were dispatched to remove individuals described as rioters and to protect those inside the home. The military did not immediately address questions regarding the use of tear gas or the detention and alleged mistreatment of the residents.

Attack Occurs Near Site Of Earlier Settler Siege

The incident took place just a few hundred yards from three homes that were previously surrounded by settlers earlier this month, an event that triggered international criticism and led to a significant Israeli military deployment in the area.

Residents Report Ongoing Harassment

A Palestinian American resident whose home was targeted during the earlier siege said he witnessed Saturday’s attack unfold from his property. He said settlers have been encroaching on the area on a near daily basis, despite the continued presence of Israeli security forces nearby.