Israeli settlers attack crews restoring water and electricity to besieged Qusra homes; 4 workers detained
QUSRA, West Bank: Israeli settlers attacked municipal crews attempting to restore water and electricity to three besieged Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra on Saturday, while Israeli forces detained four workers, according to the village’s mayor, Abdul Azim Wadi.
The crews were dispatched to Ras Al-Ain Mountain after coordination with the Palestinian Civil Liaison, Wadi said, as 15 Palestinians remain cut off from water, electricity and other essential supplies, having been blockaded by settlers in a siege that is now entering its second week.
“We coordinated with the Palestinian Civil Liaison to send two teams to the site to restore water and electricity. Unfortunately, a group of settlers attacked the water maintenance crew, forcing them to flee. One of the workers lost his phone as they escaped,” Wadi told Arab News, adding that Israeli forces subsequently intervened and detained four electricity workers and blocked their vehicle.
This latest incident came despite an Israeli military operation on Thursday that dismantled a settler tent erected near the homes. Wadi said 18 settlers remained in the area on Saturday and continued to surround the properties.
