Loui Ridi, a Palestinian-American landlord based in Ohio, arrived in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra on Monday, August 17, 2026, to join family members who have been defending his property. The home has been under siege by groups of Israeli settlers for more than a week, a standoff that has prevented residents from leaving their houses. The United States has condemned the siege, and the Israeli military has deployed troops to the area, stating their presence is intended to maintain order.
The situation in Qusra is part of a broader surge in violence across the West Bank in recent months. Settlers, emboldened by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have increased attacks on Palestinian towns and villages, harassing residents and setting fire to homes, mosques, and fields. According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli soldiers and settlers have killed 87 Palestinians so far this year. In the same period, Palestinians have killed three Israelis, including two who died during clashes in the village of Tell last month.
Ridi had been monitoring the situation from afar using his home security cameras. Upon arriving at Israel's main international airport, he told reporters, "I've been watching this live for many days and now this is the second week. I can't sleep. I can't let the settlers steal my house while I was watching."
Before Ridi's arrival, his brother, Qusai Abu Rida, and his teenage son had remained inside the home to protect it. Video footage taken by Ridi's brother while Ridi was still traveling showed settlers roaming near Qusra, driving ATVs, and speaking with soldiers. Although Israel has declared the neighborhood a closed military zone, Ridi noted that the footage still showed soldiers interacting amicably with the settlers. He expressed frustration, stating, "I should be able to go to my house freely, anytime I want. It is a frustration and a nightmare for the entire family." Ridi reached Qusra on Monday evening, where he first reunited with his mother and sister before moving on to his house.
