QUSRA, West Bank — In the village of Qusra, tension escalates as Israeli settlers continue their siege on several Palestinian homes. Loui Ridi, a Palestinian-American landlord from Ohio, returned to the occupied West Bank to join his family, who have been defending their property for over a week. Israeli settlers have surrounded these homes, preventing residents from leaving.
The United States has condemned this siege, and the Israeli military has sent troops to the area, claiming their presence is to maintain order. This increase in violence follows months of heightened tensions in the West Bank. Settler attacks, seemingly bolstered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government, have intensified against Palestinian communities, leading to homes, mosques, and fields being set on fire.
According to Palestinian health officials, Israeli settlers and soldiers have killed 87 Palestinians so far this year. In contrast, three Israelis have been killed by Palestinians, with two deaths occurring last month in the village of Tell.
As Loui Ridi, whose home is among those besieged, landed in Israel, footage taken by his brother showed settlers still active near Qusra. In the video, settlers operated ATVs and conversed with soldiers. Ridi, monitoring the situation from the U.S. through his home security cameras, expressed his concern. “I’ve been watching this live for many days and now this is the second week. I can’t sleep,” he shared with reporters at Israel’s main international airport. “I can’t let the settlers steal my house while I was watching.”
Upon arriving in Qusra on Monday evening, Ridi reconnected with his mother and sister before proceeding to his home. His brother, Qusai Abu Rida, and his teenage son had been inside the house to safeguard the property. Though Israel declared the neighborhood a closed military zone, footage from Monday still showed soldiers interacting amicably with settlers.
Ridi expressed his frustration over the ongoing situation, 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.”