US calls on Netanyahu to convict settler militants

The United States has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly condemn militant settlers following reports of their continued harassment of Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra. According to U.S. and Israeli government officials, the pressure comes amid a nearly week-long siege of several homes in Qusra, where radical settlers have cut off water and electricity supplies to the residents, including two children. Netanyahu has yet to comment on the situation. On Friday, extremist settlers were reportedly back near the homes of the besieged families, having returned early in the morning. The village head, Abdul Azim al-Wadi, told the German Press Agency that the settlers remained in the area, continuing their encirclement of the houses. Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that approximately 15 Palestinians remain trapped inside their homes, enduring difficult conditions. Both Palestinian and Israeli media noted that activists from Israel and abroad had arrived with food and drinks for the Palestinians in the region, but Israeli security forces did not allow them access to the homes. The Israeli military confirmed that all Israeli citizens are barred from entering Qusra. Initial reports indicated that soldiers allowed the settlers to proceed unimpeded, even participating in prayer sessions with them, according to video footage. However, as public outcry grew, more troops were deployed to the area starting Thursday to ensure safety and encourage the settlers to leave. One newly erected tent by the settlers was removed during this time. On Thursday alone, 13 Palestinian families were forced by the Israeli army to vacate their homes, though those affected by the siege reportedly refused to comply. Reports from both Israeli and Palestinian media cited residents claiming that Israeli soldiers caused damage to the homes and stole money while they were there. Over recent years, violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased significantly. According to records from the Israeli NGO Peace Now, each day sees a new instance of illegal land seizure by extremists. These groups set up camps and systematically terrorize nearby communities, hoping that the pressure will eventually force families to seek new homes. In the previous year alone, 22 Palestinian villages were almost entirely destroyed due to the inability of residents to withstand daily attacks. Netanyahu made controversial remarks regarding Britain, referring to it as an "Islamic Republic" during an interview. He criticized the country's stance toward Israel, stating, “Someone once said, the first Islamic republic with nuclear weapons would be the Islamic Republic of Great Britain,” he said on Friday during a podcast by the military radio station.