Israeli Settlers Besiege Palestinian American Home in West Bank

Extremist Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian families in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, for 11 consecutive days in August 2026. The settlers cut off electricity, water, and internet access, while erecting tents and blocking access to the properties. The situation gained international attention when Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American resident of Ohio, traveled to the West Bank to defend his home. Ridi raised an American flag on his roof to signal for U.S. protection and pleaded with the military to remove the settlers.

The Israeli Defense Forces declared the area a closed military zone and deployed a battalion to restore water, but residents and local Mayor Abdul Wazim Wadi allege the military failed to detain the settlers. Some reports indicate the military used vacated Palestinian homes as barracks. While the Israeli military described the situation as "unacceptable," videos emerged appearing to show soldiers sympathizing with the settlers. Ophir Falk, an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Israel does not accept vigilantes.

International reactions included condemnations from the United Nations, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee characterized the siege as a "horrific act of terror." UNICEF provided emergency food and medicine to the trapped families. The standoff follows a pattern of settler violence in the region, including a similar home takeover in the village of Jalud last month.