Israeli settlers besiege Palestinian families in West Bank’s Qusra

Palestinian-American watches with dread as Israeli settlers besiege relatives' homes in West Bank

Israeli settlers have besieged three Palestinian families inside their homes in the occupied West Bank, blocking access and cutting off water and electricity, in a campaign residents describe as an attempt to steal their land.

Security camera footage from the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, on Wednesday shows Israeli settlers and soldiers surrounding one of the houses.

Residents said Israeli soldiers failed to disperse the settlers.

Aisha Abu Rida, one of the residents under siege, told Al Jazeera that the siege began on Sunday, with settlers blocking all entrances to her home.

“We are surrounded by settlers, but we are steadfast, God willing. We will not leave our home, no matter what happens. Despite the water and electricity being cut off, we will remain steadfast,” she said.

“Despite their repeated attacks, which are aimed at displacing us, God willing, we will remain steadfast and stay in our homes, even if we are martyred,” she added.

Loai Ridi, an American-Palestinian who owns a house in the village, said his brother Qusai Abu Rida and 18-year-old nephew, Ahmed, were among those trapped.