Huckabee has condemned an alleged siege by Israeli settlers against Palestinian homes in the occupied West Bank, calling the incident a “horrific act of terror”. Settlers in Qusra village near Nablus have reportedly blockaded several Palestinian homes since Sunday. The restrictions have reportedly prevented residents from accessing food and other essential supplies. One of the affected homes belongs to a US citizen. “The actions of those doing this to this family’s home are criminal,” Huckabee wrote on X while responding to criticism of the US response. He described the incident as an attempt to intimidate and harass the family. He also said there was “no excuse for such thuggish behaviour”. According to Huckabee, Israeli authorities intervened after the United States requested action. His comments have drawn attention because of his previous support for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and his opposition to establishing a Palestinian state. Israel has controlled the West Bank since 1967. Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the occupied territory illegal under international law. Separately, Washington has rejected the idea of a permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon. The dispute emerged after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli forces would remain inside a designated security zone in southern Lebanon. A US State Department official told Al Arabiya English that Washington expects Israel and Lebanon to follow the US-brokered framework agreed between the two sides. “Israel clearly stated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon,” the official said. Jinnah-1: Pakistan names first lunar rover for 2029 Moon mission Katz, however, said during a visit to southern Lebanon that Israeli forces would remain in the security zone. “As the prime minister and I have made unequivocally clear, we are not withdrawing from this security zone,” Katz said. The US-brokered ceasefire framework calls for Israel to withdraw fully from Lebanese territory. It also requires the disarmament of Iran-backed Hezbollah. The State Department warned that a permanent Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon would conflict with the commitments under the framework. Washington also reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Under the agreement, Israel’s withdrawal depends on a conditions-based process. The plan links the redeployment of Israeli forces to verified Hezbollah disarmament and the dismantling of its military infrastructure. The latest statements underline differences between Washington and Israel over Israeli settler activity in the West Bank and the future role of Israeli forces in southern Lebanon. Post navigation Typhoon China hit by record rain as storm triggers floods and travel disruption
