IDF prepares to evacuate illegal outpost near Kusra village

Security forces arrived this morning, Wednesday, at a tent set up by Jewish extremists in the area of the village of Kusra, which they have been using to besiege Palestinian homes. The objective is to evacuate the outpost, but settlers have arrived in the area and begun blocking access roads with heavy rocks. The commander of the Central Command, Avi Bluth, has also arrived at the scene.

Head of the Kusra council, Abd al-Azim Wadi, told Ynet that the tent has not yet been evacuated. He stated that commanders from the Civil Administration and the IDF arrived early in the morning, spoke with Palestinian residents, and promised to maintain security and stability. According to Wadi, commanders also spoke with the settlers, but they are refusing to leave. There is currently a significant presence of IDF forces in the area.

The settlers have been at the site for three days. Wadi described the dire conditions:

"The water in the family's home is still cut off by the local authority's water company. Electricity is supplied via a solar system. Food supplies are also running out."

Security sources indicated as early as Tuesday that the IDF was preparing to evacuate the outpost, following reports of soldiers praying in the tent alongside the settlers. The IDF Spokesperson's Unit addressed the issue yesterday:

"In recent weeks, several reports have been received regarding the entry of Israeli citizens into homes and Palestinian lands in the area of the villages of Kusra and Jalud to take control of them. This is illegal, despicable, and unacceptable activity that harms the residents of the villages. Consequently, a closed military zone order was imposed in the area for those who are not residents."

The IDF statement emphasized that it strongly condemns such incidents and will take disciplinary action against any reservists or regular soldiers found to be involved.

The IDF also reported an incident on Monday involving an ambulance:

"The passage of an ambulance was coordinated in the Kusra area. Upon arrival at the crossing, IDF forces identified Israeli citizens inside who were attempting to enter the closed military zone under its cover. Consequently, the military force and police officers of the Judea and Samaria District conducted a search of the vehicle."

The IDF added that it continues to work to facilitate the movement of medical teams that coordinate their travel in advance.