Qusra families face ongoing siege despite court ruling

Israeli forces and settlers have continued a strict siege on three Palestinian families in the Ras al-Ayn and Al-Maaser areas, west of Qusra, south of Nablus, for approximately 38 days.

Despite a ruling from the Israeli Supreme Court allowing the families to enter and exit their homes, the blockade persists. Local officials, including Qusra Mayor Abdul Azim Wadi, report that the siege has severely disrupted daily life, preventing children from attending school and teachers from reaching their workplaces. The restrictions also affect the ability of residents to access olive groves ahead of the harvest season.

Humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is being coordinated through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the Red Crescent, but delivery is often delayed by several days. Residents expressed fear that the presence of armed settlers on access roads makes movement dangerous even if military checkpoints are opened. Additionally, authorities report that construction on 18 homes in the area is being prevented by military forces.