US Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemned the siege of three Palestinian homes in Qusra, West Bank, as Israeli forces moved to contain the escalating settler violence.

Homes Besieged for Days

QUSRA, West Bank, August 13: Israeli settlers have surrounded three Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra for several days, preventing residents from leaving and restricting access to food and water.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the incident as a “horrific act of terror” on Thursday. His remarks marked an unusually strong criticism from the Trump administration of the latest episode of settler violence against Palestinians.

The affected homes include one owned by Palestinian American Loui Ridi, who lives in Ohio.

Settlers Block Families

According to local officials and residents, settlers began gathering around the homes on Sunday. At times, dozens of people surrounded the properties, threw stones and attempted to bring down a nearby stone wall.

Residents said the blockade prevented families from leaving their homes as their supplies of food and water declined.

Ridi's brother, Qusai Abu Rida, said he remained inside one of the houses with his teenage son before Israeli forces moved them to another home on Thursday.

The family was still unable to leave the area, he said.

Israeli Forces Intervene

The Israeli military said its troops dismantled two illegal outposts near Qusra and a neighbouring village. The military also said it detained one Israeli and deployed additional soldiers to conduct patrols and defensive operations.

Israeli forces had declared the area a closed military zone after condemning the siege as “illegal, reprehensible, and unacceptable”.

However, Abu Rida said settlers returned the following day and blocked roads with rocks.

Qusra Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi said Israeli forces evacuated seven homes so soldiers could take positions in the village. The settlers remained in other parts of the village despite the removal of their outposts, he said.

Huckabee Condemns Attack

Huckabee said the actions against the Palestinian American family were intended to intimidate and harass them.

“Actions by those who carried out this horrific act of terror meant to intimidate and harass this family are disgusting,” Huckabee said in a post on X.

He added that the US embassy had been coordinating with Israeli military and police authorities over the incident.

The statement stands out because Huckabee has historically been a strong supporter of Israel and its settler movement, although he has also condemned violence carried out by settlers.

Family Calls for Help

Speaking from Ohio, Ridi told The Associated Press that his brother and nephew had gone several days without receiving fresh supplies of food or water.

He said settlers had allegedly targeted his property for months before the latest escalation. According to Ridi, they had previously disrupted water and electricity supplies and thrown stones that damaged the house.

The family described their situation as being trapped inside their own home.

Residents also said roads into Qusra were closed on Thursday afternoon, making it difficult for journalists and others to enter the village.

Violence Has Increased

Qusra lies in a part of the northern West Bank that has experienced repeated clashes and settler attacks.

Last month, a mosque in the village was set on fire in an apparent settler attack. The incident followed the killing of an Israeli settler and a subsequent outbreak of violence that left two Israeli soldiers and four Palestinian villagers dead.

Palestinians and Israeli opposition figures have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of failing to adequately prevent settler attacks. Israeli ministers and Cabinet members have generally characterised violent settlers as a small fringe acting outside the law.

Wider West Bank Tensions

The latest incident comes amid continuing tensions over Israeli settlements and Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians claim the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war, as part of a future independent state. Israeli settlers and their supporters argue that the territory should remain under Israeli control for historical, religious and security reasons.

The expansion of settlement outposts has drawn condemnation from much of the international community and remains a major obstacle in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What Happens Next

The immediate concern remains the safety of the families trapped in the affected homes and their access to essential supplies. Israeli forces have said soldiers will allow families to remain in their houses and will not use the homes as military positions.

However, Abu Rida said the families had not yet returned to their properties.

The incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of settler violence and the Israeli government's response, while the strong US criticism adds another layer to the diplomatic pressure surrounding the West Bank.