NABLUS, August 17, 2026 (WAFA) — Israeli colonists today continued, for the ninth consecutive day, to besiege several homes in the town of Qasra, south of Nablus, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces, in an attempt to seize the properties and impose a fait accompli in the area.
Colonists have continued to besiege the homes of three families in the Ras al-Ain area of Qasra, amid a deployment of Israeli occupation forces. They have prevented residents from reaching the homes and erected a tent in their vicinity under army protection.
According to local sources, colonists have attempted for nearly four months to break into and seize the homes, prompting members of the affected families to remain there around the clock in shifts to protect them.
The sources said the colonists have repeatedly cut electricity to the homes, pelted them with stones, and imposed sieges on them on several occasions.
Qasra Mayor Abdul Azim Wadi reaffirmed the steadfastness of the besieged residents and their determination to remain on Ras al-Ain Mountain, as well as the resilience of Qasra's residents in general and their determination to confront settlement plans.
He said municipal teams have been attempting to restore services to the besieged homes, but colonists' attacks have prevented them from doing so.
Wadi added that the municipality is providing residents of the besieged homes with essential services free of charge and will allocate a budget to support them, stressing that this is a national duty. He also underscored the importance of strengthening government support and cooperation with the town across vital sectors.
On Sunday evening, Israeli occupation forces closed the roads leading to the Ras al-Ain area of Qasra.
Local sources said an Israeli bulldozer blocked the roads with earth berms to prevent residents from reaching the area.
Last Thursday morning, Israeli occupation forces also forced residents of two homes to evacuate and turned 16 homes in Qasra into military barracks.
On Sunday, a ministerial delegation, acting on the instructions of Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, conducted an inspection tour of Qasra to assess its needs for development and service projects, particularly in the health, water, electricity, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors, amid escalating colonists' attacks on the town and surrounding villages.
The delegation affirmed the government's commitment to providing all possible support, each ministry within its area of responsibility, to strengthen the steadfastness of Qasra's residents. This includes facilitating building permits in targeted areas, enhancing healthcare services and providing the medicines and supplies needed by medical teams in the town, as well as giving Qasra priority in implementing solar energy projects.
According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, Israeli occupation forces and colonists carried out 2,256 attacks against Palestinians and their lands and property in July. Of these, occupation forces carried out 1,458 attacks, while settlers carried out 798.
The commission said the attacks were concentrated in the governorates of Ramallah and al-Bireh, with 260 attacks, followed by Nablus with 247, Jenin with 190, Bethlehem with 185, and Hebron with 170.
It said the figures demonstrate clear coordination between military force and colonists violence, with the Israeli army providing protection and support that enables attacks to expand and turn their outcomes into an ongoing reality on the ground.2.
K.T
