Army Blocks Aid to Besieged Qusra Families

Israeli forces on Friday prevented approximately one hundred peace activists from delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians under a twenty-eight day siege in Qusra. The northern occupied West Bank town has seen three homes blockaded since August ninth by settlers with army support claiming a closed military zone status.

The Israeli left-wing Peace Now movement reported that field commanders refused to allow supplies into the besieged area. Officials insisted that families must come out to receive aid themselves despite the army preventing Palestinians from leaving their homes during this prolonged and restrictive blockade period.

Qusra Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi stated that the army prevents basic necessities from reaching three families trapped on Mount Ras al-Ain. This siege coincides with escalating attacks including road closures and checkpoint installations which raise Palestinian fears of forced displacement from their ancestral lands and villages.

In Jerusalem police opened fire on a thirty-three year old Palestinian man near Damascus Gate on Friday. Officers claimed he attempted a stabbing before being neutralized at the scene. The victim was identified as Ibrahim al-Hendi from the Beit Hanina neighborhood and pronounced dead immediately.

Settlers accompanied by soldiers stormed communities in the Jordan Valley and southern Bethlehem on Friday. They assaulted residents and fired tear gas at crowds resisting the attacks. These incidents reflect a sharp rise in violence against Palestinians and their property across the occupied territory recently.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee described Israelis involved in such violence as terrorists causing major damage to Israel’s image. He warned that the nation needs friends rather than enemies. Around 750,000 settlers live in illegal settlements and outposts carrying out attacks aimed at displacing Palestinians.

The United Nations considers the West Bank including East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory. It regards Israeli settlement activity as illegal under international law. Meanwhile the army arrested Palestinians in Qabatiya and Nablus alleging weapon production plans during recent security operations in the area.