Dozens of Israeli settlers assaulted Qusra, a Palestinian village in the West Bank, marking the first major settler attack since the 500,000‑strong settlement presence intensified tensions and prompted rare condemnation from Prime Minister Netanyahu in the occupied territories.
Saturday, dozens of Israeli settlers descended on Qusra, hurling stones at residents and sealing themselves inside a house while Palestinians remained inside, prompting the IDF to dispatch soldiers and border police to remove the rioters, confiscate suspect vehicles and separate the groups.
Netanyahu’s unprecedented condemnation, echoed by President Herzog and Israel’s foreign ministry, highlighted settler violence as a breach of law and a threat to Israel’s international standing, while the United States ambassador warned that such aggression could trigger sanctions and further strain diplomatic relations.
Palestinian witnesses allege IDF collusion, claiming officers shielded settlers, used tear gas inside homes, and handcuffed residents, whereas the IDF maintains it acted to remove settlers, separate groups and gather evidence, without commenting on alleged abuse.