Israeli troops took up positions inside Palestinian homes in the West Bank village ​of Qusra on Thursday, the mayor said, after settlers trapped Palestinian families this week in a siege Palestinians say is aimed at forcing ‌them from their land. The soldiers informed the families that ⁠operations in Qusra may last until Sunday, village residents said. In a statement, the Israeli military said that the soldiers were deployed to protect residents and maintain security, would not operate within at least one home mentioned, and that the families would be allowed to remain in their homes. Qusra mayor Abed Al Athem Wadi said that six homes in ​the village had been evacuated and taken over by Israeli soldiers, including the three hilltop besieged homes, with the two residing families gathered in ​one of the houses.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has spearheaded settlement expansion in the West Bank. In the wake of rogue land seizures emboldened by the government, the military has come under increasing pressure to halt such activity and ensure that it does not disrupt access to food, water, and other necessities. Palestinians say the Israeli military allows settlers to seize land and resources across the West Bank with impunity, including in areas where they hold Israel-issued ownership documents. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike ​Huckabee, stated the Israeli ⁠military and police “have gone at our request to remove the Israeli terrorists doing this,” adding: “The actions of those doing this to this family’s home is criminal.”

Full report: Israel sends troops into West Bank homes besieged by Jewish settlers.