The United States believes Israel is not doing enough to prevent violent settler attacks in the West Bank, KAN News reported on Wednesday, citing a senior White House official.
According to the report, the official plans to discuss the issue with the Prime Minister's Office and expects it to explain why the security establishment is unable to quell the violence.
The report comes amid the ongoing violence in the area of the West Bank Palestinian village of Qusra, where IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment on Wednesday with Central Command chief Maj.-Gen. Avi Bluth, Operations Directorate chief Maj.-Gen. Itzik Cohen, and Operations Division chief Brig.-Gen. Barak Hiram.
Earlier Wednesday, IDF troops arrived at the scene in an effort to lift a siege imposed on Palestinian homes in the West Bank village. Clashes then broke out between the troops and numerous settlers who had arrived in the area. As of Wednesday evening, the siege had not yet been lifted.
Zamir instructed the military to continue efforts to restore order and strengthen operational control in the area, while working to prevent further serious incidents. As part of those efforts, he ordered an additional active-duty infantry battalion to reinforce the sector.
The battalion, which is currently undergoing refresher training, will be deployed to strengthen operational control in the area. "Additional forces will be held in reserve for deployment as necessary," the military said.
The IDF said the operation was being carried out in coordination with the Israel Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), with the aim of "restoring order, maintaining security in the area, and bringing the rioters to justice."
IDF: Zamir told soldiers in West Bank to review conduct, use-of-force rules
The military also said Zamir had instructed forces throughout the West Bank to review the rules governing their conduct and use of force in such incidents.
It added that "alongside the central mission and ongoing activity to thwart terrorism, while strengthening the defense of the settlements, the chief of staff instructed that the rules of conduct and use of force in incidents of this kind be reiterated to all forces in the Judea and Samaria sector."
Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF began lifting the siege imposed by a group of settlers on two homes in Qusra, which is located in Area B of the West Bank. Dozens of settlers who arrived in the area clashed with the military, dismantled fences, and blocked roads.
The entire area was declared a closed military zone. Bluth arrived at the scene to oversee the operation, spoke with the Palestinians, and asked the settlers to leave and not interfere with the military's efforts.
Yesh Din: Settlers cut off water, electricity to Palestinian homes
The Yesh Din human rights organization said in an appeal sent to Bluth on Tuesday that settlers had imposed a siege on two homes in the village. According to the organization, seven Palestinians, including two girls aged 10 and four, had been trapped in their homes for three days.
Yesh Din said the settlers had cut off electricity and water supplies to the homes.
According to Yesh Din, residents of the "Tell Talpiyot" outpost, which was established in January in Area B, set up a new "offshoot" on Sunday in the form of a sukkah near the homes of the two families.
The organization said the settlers imposed the siege that same evening. They blocked the access roads to the homes with piles of stones and, during the night, damaged electrical cables and the connection to the solar panels, as well as vandalizing the water pipes.