After attempted evacuation of settler tent outside Palestinian home, family still trapped inside

The Israel Defense Forces attempted on Wednesday morning to evacuate a tent erected illegally by Israeli settlers outside a Palestinian family’s home in the West Bank, prompting confrontations with settlers in the area.

As the evacuation was set to take place, settlers were seen on video throwing large stones on the road to block access. Israeli media outlets and activists trying to reach the site report that soldiers left, but that settlers remained outside the home and were not removed by the military. 

Four days ago, several Israeli citizens set up the tent outside a house in the village of Qusra, preventing the family from leaving their home. Trapped inside are Yousef Hassan, his wife and two daughters, around two and four years old, according to several reports on social media.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, the IDF condemned the actions and said it would discipline “security personnel” filmed at the site sitting and praying with the settlers rather than removing them. 

“This is illegal, reprehensible and unacceptable activity that harms the residents of the areas and disrupts their daily lives,” the military said. “Following these incidents, and in light of reports of disturbances, a closed military zone order was issued in the area for anyone who is not a resident of the area.”

Prior to the evacuation, the heads of Central Command, the Judea and Samaria Division and Border Police visited the area and met with the family, confirming that they had water and electricity.

“During the tour, the commanders expressed their grave concern over the actions carried out by Israeli civilians against the Palestinian family and instructed that several measures be taken moving forward,” the military said in a statement.

Several activists posting on social media, however, claim that utilities to the house have been cut and that the family is running low on provisions.

This incident follows several reports in recent weeks of Israeli civilians entering and taking over Palestinian homes and land, the IDF said. As a result, several flashpoints in Judea and Samaria have been declared closed military zones in order to stem ongoing violence. 

According to several media outlets, including CNN, reporters and activists have been prevented from accessing these closed sites despite the presence of settlers and illegal tents remaining in the area.

Earlier this week, settlers also used an ambulance coordinated by the Israeli military in an attempt to infiltrate the blocked area, the army said.