France demands prosecution of settlers besieging Qusra village

France has called on Israel to arrest and prosecute settlers involved in the siege of Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra. In a statement released Friday, August 14, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the occupation of houses and violence against Palestinian civilians “with the greatest firmness.”

Paris emphasized that under international law, Israel has an obligation to protect the Palestinian civilian population. The French government is demanding concrete judicial measures against those responsible for the blockade.

The situation in Qusra, located near Nablus, has seen dozens of Israeli settlers blocking access to homes since Sunday, cutting residents off from food, medicine, and essential services. The siege has drawn international attention, with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also denouncing the blockade. In response to the crisis, Israeli left-wing activists and various militants have attempted to reach the besieged families to deliver provisions.