Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes in West Bank village of Qusra

On Saturday, masked Israeli settlers launched a major attack on the Palestinian village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank, pelting residents with rocks and trapping them in homes. This was the first major attack since settlers began a siege of Qusra and neighboring Jalud earlier in August. According to the IDF, security forces arrived to separate the groups and protect residents, but Palestinian media and residents accused the IDF of protecting settlers, firing tear gas into homes, and handcuffing, blindfolding, and beating trapped residents. Several Palestinians were injured by pepper spray, and settlers reportedly attempted to burn Palestinian-owned fields. The attack occurred near three other homes targeted in a siege three weeks prior. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare condemnation, calling the violence criminal acts by a handful of rioters. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee also denounced radical settlers as 'Israeli terrorists' and suggested possible US sanctions.