NABLUS, August 14, 2026 (WAFA) — Israeli occupation forces on Friday prevented a number of Israeli and foreign activists from reaching three Palestinian homes that have been surrounded by colonist gangs for nearly a week in the Ras al-Ain area of the town of Qusra, south of Nablus.

Around 15 Palestinians, including two children, live in the three homes under difficult humanitarian conditions, with access to basic necessities continuing to be blocked.

Qusra Mayor Abdul Azim Wadi said Israeli forces prevented the activists from reaching the homes while colonist gangs continued to besiege the families and prevent access to them, including the delivery of aid and basic necessities.

He added that Israeli forces forcibly expelled Italian activists who had managed to reach the homes several days ago, following attacks by colonists and the encirclement of the area.

The colonist gangs began besieging the homes at the beginning of the week by blocking roads leading to them with stones, erecting a tent nearby and preventing family members from entering or leaving and receiving visitors. They also cut off the homes' water and electricity supplies.

The besieged families have remained under constant pressure for days. The United Nations has confirmed that around 15 Palestinians, including two children, are trapped inside the homes and are struggling to meet their basic needs due to the lack of water and electricity.

The Abd al-Salam and Abu Rida families have issued an urgent appeal to international and humanitarian organizations to intervene and lift the siege, amid ongoing colonist attacks in the area for more than four months and attempts to establish a colonial outpost there.

On Thursday, Israeli forces raided the town and ordered the besieged families to temporarily evacuate their homes, citing the deployment of forces in the area. The families refused to leave and moved into a third home, fearing that taking control of their homes could pave the way for their seizure.

M.N