West Bank Conflict Intensifies for Palestinian Families

By August 18, 2026, Loui Ridi, a Palestinian-American from Ohio, watched helplessly as Israeli settlers besieged his house in Qusra, a village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Settlers have long seized Palestinian homes here, but these attacks have increased in recent years, spurred by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to legalize more settler outposts.

After witnessing the siege from his home in Toledo for a week, and with other houses in Qusra surrounded, Ridi decided to return. He flew to Tel Aviv, determined to reclaim the home where he grew up.

In a sharp critique, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee labeled the settlers as “terrorists” recently. Ridi, a U.S.-Palestinian dual citizen, arrived to support his family in reclaiming their residence in Qusra, near Nablus.

Despite the deployment of Israeli troops to maintain order, settlers remained, and Palestinians stayed confined within their homes. Israeli human rights group B’Tselem has recorded joint attacks on Palestinians by settlers, police, and soldiers. “I can’t let the settlers steal my house while I was watching,” Ridi stated after reaching Tel Aviv.

Reuters documented Ridi’s journey back to Qusra. He was escorted by an Israeli military vehicle to his house, where he raised an American flag on the roof upon entering.

Worsening Settler Violence

All Israeli settlements in the West Bank are deemed illegal under international law, yet they have received support from Israel’s current government. This government shifted further right when Netanyahu formed a coalition with far-right parties. While Israel contends these settlements are legal under its domestic laws, critics argue that Netanyahu’s government has emboldened settler aggression.

CBS News and the United Nations have reported escalating violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since the October 2023 conflict initiated by Hamas. With more than 500,000 Israelis living in these settlements, the West Bank remains a tense zone of cohabitation for its Palestinian inhabitants.

Trapped Under Siege

Ridi began constructing his home in Qusra on family land in 2023, intending to keep his daughters connected to their roots. His brother Qusay and a nephew stayed behind to protect the house in deteriorating conditions, lacking basic utilities.

According to the U.N., they stand among 15 Palestinians, including children, besieged by settlers in Qusra without water or electricity. From January 2017 to September 2025, over 1,500 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank by settlers and Israeli forces.

When asked about his future plans, Ridi expressed a desire to reunite with his brother, catch up with family, and assess their situation.