US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee, a staunch supporter of settlements in the occupied West Bank, condemned on Thursday a blockade imposed by Israeli settlers on Palestinian homes—including one owned by a US citizen—describing it as "intimidation."
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According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Huckabee wrote on the "X" platform: "The actions of those who performed this horrific act of intimidation to frighten and harass this family are abhorrent," adding that "there is zero justification for such thuggery."
The blockade began last Sunday when several settlers erected a temporary tent near homes in the town of Qusra, south of Nablus, preventing supplies from entering the area.
Qusai Abu Reida, trapped inside one of the homes, said in a telephone interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP): "We have received no food or medication," adding that he was only able to secure electricity through solar panels.
The Israeli occupation army stated Wednesday morning that military commanders conducted a tour of the area, which was declared a "closed military zone," and removed the tent where the settlers were staying.
"Border Police forces removed the tent and are working to evacuate the civilians who were staying there," the occupation army said in a statement, adding that "the incident remains ongoing."
By afternoon, the occupation army withdrew and the tent structure was removed, but the settlers remained at the site.
Abu Reida confirmed that the situation remained unchanged. "The army withdrew, and up until now we are still besieged, with settlers right at our doorstep," he said. He added: "The settlers are still present, sitting where the tent used to be; only its roof was removed, while their chairs and blankets remain there."
Acts of violence committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have persisted for years, often with little to no legal consequences, but recent months have witnessed an escalation in attacks.
