Two Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra have been besieged in their homes since Sunday, according to reports, with Israeli security forces said to have withdrawn while about a dozen settlers remain.
Key facts
- Two Palestinian families have been besieged in their homes since Sunday in the West Bank village of Qusra.
- The Guardian reports settlers and soldiers cut off water and electricity and blocked medical care.
- A group of settlers and soldiers set up a tent outside the home of Yousef Hassan on Sunday afternoon.
- Yousef Hassan was trapped inside with his wife and two young daughters, according to the Guardian.
- The BBC reports Israeli security forces have withdrawn while about a dozen settlers remain at the site.
Two Palestinian families have been besieged in their homes in the West Bank village of Qusra since Sunday, according to reports from the BBC and the Guardian.
According to the Guardian, a group of Israeli settlers and soldiers set up a tent outside the home of Yousef Hassan on Sunday afternoon, trapping him inside with his wife and two young daughters. The outlet describes the effort as an attempt to take over the families’ properties through what it calls a campaign of terror.
The Guardian reports that settlers and soldiers cut off water and electricity to the homes and blocked medical care during the siege.
The BBC reports that Israeli security forces have since withdrawn from the site. About a dozen settlers are said to remain where the two families have been besieged.
The situation reflects continued tensions in the West Bank, though the sources provided give limited detail on the wider circumstances or any official response.
Both outlets published their accounts on 12 August 2026, with the Guardian’s report appearing later in the day than the BBC’s.
Why it matters
Reported sieges of Palestinian homes in the West Bank raise concerns about civilian safety, access to basic utilities and medical care. The involvement of both settlers and security forces, as described by the Guardian, points to ongoing disputes over land and property in the territory.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the village of Qusra?
The Guardian identifies Qusra as a village in the West Bank where the two Palestinian families have been besieged. The sources provided do not give further geographic detail.
What happened to the utilities and medical access?
According to the Guardian, settlers and soldiers cut off water and electricity to the homes and blocked medical care during the siege.
Are Israeli security forces still present?
The BBC reports that Israeli security forces have reportedly withdrawn, while about a dozen settlers are said to remain at the site.