Netanyahu Slams 'Criminal' Settler Attack in West Bank Village

A wave of violence has gripped the northern occupied West Bank, culminating in a settler attack on the Palestinian village of Qusra on Saturday, August 29, 2026. This latest incident, following nearly three weeks of escalating tensions, has drawn rare and strong condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials.

Reports from Qusra residents and the military indicate that dozens of Israeli settlers descended on the village, throwing stones at residents and barricading themselves inside a house while Palestinians were trapped inside. This follows earlier actions in August where a group of settlers reportedly blocked supplies from entering Palestinian homes near Nablus, trapping families and drawing criticism from the U.S. Ambassador.

The violence extended beyond Qusra. In the nearby village of Jalud, an NBC News reporting team and a Palestinian woman they were interviewing were reportedly attacked by masked settlers. This highlights the dangers faced by both residents and journalists attempting to cover the volatile situation.

Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a stern statement, saying,

I strongly condemn the criminal acts of violence committed in the villages of Qusra and Jalud by a handful of rioters who are violating the law, causing a grave injustice to the law-abiding Jewish community, interfering with the IDF in carrying out its missions, and harming Israel's standing in the world.

His condemnation was echoed by President Isaac Herzog, who also condemned the Qusra attack, while Israel's Foreign Ministry labeled the violence "a disgrace." Yussef Abdul Kareem Hassan, a resident of Qusra, recounted to AFP how a small group of settlers initially approached villagers working on a house.

They then called for reinforcements, returning with dozens more settlers who surrounded the Palestinians inside the house and began pelting it with stones.

AFP footage from the scene on Saturday showed a significant deployment of Israeli forces, indicating the severity of the situation.

The ongoing presence of Israeli forces in the area, coupled with settlers reportedly roaming the surrounding hills, underscores the persistent instability in this flashpoint region. The condemnations from Israeli leadership signal a growing concern over the impact of such acts on both regional stability and Israel's international image.

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