US Ambassador calls West Bank settlers “terrorists”

United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee publicly denounced Israeli settlers as “terrorists” on Thursday, addressing a multi-day confrontation around three Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra. His remarks were posted on social media and followed accounts from local residents describing an attempted takeover of the properties.

Residents said the incident began Sunday and escalated over several days as settlers sought to occupy the homes. They reported that 15 residents have been left without consistent access to water or electricity during the standoff, and said those affected include a dual US citizen.

Embassy says it coordinated with Israeli forces In

Embassy says it coordinated with Israeli forces

In his online statement In his online statement, Huckabee said the US embassy coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces and police to remove those involved. The wording placed the embassy directly into the sequence of events on the ground by citing coordination with Israeli security services. The language drew attention because Huckabee has typically been seen as a strong supporter of Israeli settlement expansion. The comments were described in the source material as an unusually blunt public intervention by a US ambassador while an active dispute was still unfolding. Families remain inside and fear permanent land loss Local residents said the families inside the three homes have refused to leave. They said the families fear that even a temporary departure could lead to permanent loss of the land and prevent them from returning. According to local accounts, conditions around the homes have remained unstable since the standoff began. Residents said pressure has continued around the properties and described water and electricity as intermittent, with access not consistent for the 15 people affected.

UN rights office warns of forced displacement risk

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the families face imminent forced displacement. The office also said earlier efforts by Israeli authorities to clear the area produced limited results, which it said raised doubts among residents and UN officials that immediate steps would address the underlying threat. Local officials in Qusra alleged that military forces Local officials in Qusra alleged that military forces took a passive approach toward settlers during the siege. They cited instances they said showed soldiers and settlers interacting near the homes while the standoff continued.

Unclear whether security steps will hold and services will stabilize Despite Huckabee’s reported intervention, residents said they do not trust that leaving would be safe or that they would be allowed back. They also said the situation remained volatile.

According to the accounts cited in the source material, it is uncertain whether security measures on the ground will prevent further attempts to occupy the homes. It is also unclear whether water and electricity will be restored consistently for the 15 residents, including the dual US citizen.