US pushes Netanyahu to condemn settler violence in Qusra

According to The Times of Israel, US and Israeli officials report that Washington is pressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly condemn the siege of two Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra by extremist settlers. The siege, which began on Sunday, has entered its sixth day, with Netanyahu remaining silent on the matter.

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that he has instructed the IDF to draft a plan to transfer civilian law enforcement powers in the West Bank to the Israel Police. The announcement was met with skepticism by legal and enforcement officials, as the police are already largely responsible for such matters. Katz’s statement notably avoided explicit reference to the violence in Qusra.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the settlers behind the siege on Thursday, labeling them "Israeli terrorists." Reports suggest Washington's protest intensified after learning that the home of a Palestinian-American was among those under siege.

Meanwhile, human rights activists and Knesset member Ofer Cassif reported that security forces blocked them from delivering food and medicine to the besieged families in Qusra. Additionally, footage emerged on Friday showing an armed settler firing into the air and aiming a weapon at Palestinians and left-wing activists near Bethlehem, sparking further political outrage.