Settlers tighten siege on Qusra despite Israeli Supreme Court ruling allowing movement

Settlers and occupation forces continue to besiege three Palestinian families in the Ras al-Ain and al-Ma'aser areas west of Qusra, south of Nablus, despite an Israeli Supreme Court ruling allowing them to move. The occupation prevents the completion of 18 homes under construction and restricts the entry of food supplies, requiring coordination that takes up to three days. Residents fear the siege will become a fait accompli.

Settlers and Israeli occupation forces continue to besiege three Palestinian families in the Ras al-Ain and al-Ma'aser areas west of Qusra, south of Nablus, despite an Israeli Supreme Court ruling allowing them to enter and leave their homes. Qusra's mayor, Abdul Azim Wadi, says the siege remains in place, and the occupation prevents the completion of construction work on 18 homes under construction. Food supplies are brought in intermittently and only after prior coordination with the occupation that can take up to three days. The settlers began imposing the siege over a month ago, later joined by occupation forces, with the direct siege on the three homes lasting about 36 days. Activist Qusai Abu Rida says the Supreme Court ruling was issued days ago but has not changed the residents' reality due to armed settlers stationed on the roads leading to the homes. Residents fear that allowing them to leave the area will later prevent their return. The siege comes amid repeated settler attacks in the Qusra area, including assaults on farmers and agricultural land. Measures have escalated since the beginning of 2026 with attempts to establish an outpost on the mountain and control the water spring.