Palestinian American returns to West Bank to defend his home under siege by Israeli settlers

Loui Ridi, an Ohio-based Palestinian American, returned to the West Bank on Monday, August 17, 2026, to join his family and defend his home in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus. The property has been under siege for over a week by groups of Israeli settlers who have prevented residents from leaving. Ridi had been monitoring the situation remotely via home security cameras before deciding to return, stating at the airport that he could not allow settlers to seize his home. Although the Israeli military has declared the neighborhood a closed military zone, video footage captured by Ridi’s brother shows settlers continuing to roam the area and interacting with soldiers. The United States has condemned the siege, while the Israeli military maintains that troops are present to keep order. Violence in the West Bank has surged in recent months; according to Palestinian health officials, 87 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers so far this year. During the same period, three Israelis have been killed in related clashes.