American homeowner's house in Qusra under Israeli military siege as settler attacks persist

The house of Louay Abu Rida, an American citizen, in the Palestinian village of Qusra, southeast of Nablus, has been surrounded by a military checkpoint for 25 days. Settlers erected a makeshift outpost on the nearby Jabal Ein Eina mountain in early August and have repeatedly entered the area, cutting water and electricity, damaging property and intimidating residents.

Village council head Wadi Abd al-Azim said the army and police have removed the outpost several times, but settlers return within hours, rebuilding tents and bringing livestock. He added that 40 village men are in Israeli prisons while no settler has been arrested.

Activist Oded Fafurish recounted a February attack in which masked settlers on ATVs beat several volunteers, causing serious injuries. He said the violence intensified during the Iran-Israel war, culminating in a March 14 raid that left a 28-year-old villager dead and his father disabled.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) declared the area a closed military zone, restricting civilian access. Female reservists stationed at a canopy near Abu Rida’s home have blocked aid deliveries, citing lack of coordination. Abu Rida told reporters that a food and medicine convoy was eventually allowed to approach, but the checkpoint halted it, forcing residents to transport supplies themselves.

He has filed a petition with Israel’s Supreme Court seeking orders to stop settler incursions and has contacted the U.S. embassy for assistance. The embassy acknowledged a procedural request but offered no substantive help.

The IDF said reinforced troops and border police are deployed to prevent “friction” and protect families, emphasizing that entry without coordination is prohibited.

The situation has drawn international attention, with U.S. officials condemning the siege, but no concrete measures have been taken to lift the restrictions on the Abu Rida household.