UN Aid Reaches Besieged Qusra Families; Siege Enters Day 10
UN teams delivered food, water and medicine to three Palestinian families after 10 days surrounded by settlers, while the White House urged a public condemnation.
- On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, United Nations humanitarian workers reached besieged families in the West Bank village of Qusra for the first time, delivering food, water, and medicine as the standoff entered its tenth day.
- Approximately 15 Palestinians have been confined since August 9 by settlers surrounding their homes, while heavy Israeli military presence on-site has not resulted in removal of the groups.
- The White House is pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to condemn the siege, while U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labeled the settlers involved "Israeli terrorists," marking one of the most direct criticisms ever issued by a sitting U.S. ambassador.
- UN officials warned the standoff must not become "the new normal," while residents report soldiers and settlers working in tandem, with properties damaged and personal items stolen during the occupation.
- Netanyahu's ruling coalition relies on hard-right parties whose voter base includes settlers, complicating a public response as settler attacks classified as terrorism surged 63 percent this year, according to Kan public broadcaster.
11 Articles
11 Articles
‘We are starving’: Palestinians besieged by settlers in West Bank homes run out of food
‘We are starving’: Palestinians besieged by settlers in West Bank homes run out of food Submitted by Fayha Shalash on Thu, 08/20/2026 - 14:04 Around 15 people, including children, are trapped in Qusra as Israel restricts food and settlers maintain siege for 12th day Ruqaya Hassan and her daughters watch from the houses they are trapped in by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank town of Qusra, on 18 August 2026 (Ammar Awad/Reuters) Off …
IDF bars anti-occupation activist from closed zone as settlers roam around Qusra
Some 15 settlers reportedly remain in the closed-off military zone near the West Bank village of Qusra, maintaining friendly relations with the guarding Israeli soldiers, as elsewhere in the West Bank, an anti-occupation activist was detained by soldiers for violating a similar order
In Qusra, in the occupied West Bank, several Palestinian families have been surrounded by Israeli settlers since August 9. Water and electricity have been cut off, while access to homes and the delivery of food have been blocked. Report by Marc Paupe.
The situation in Qusra appears to be at a standstill. For the second week, Palestinians are trapped in their own homes by violent settlers who prevent them from leaving. The Israeli army is deployed in the area but has still not expelled the attackers.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
