Israeli settlers have surrounded the home of Palestinian-American Loui Ridi in the West Bank village of Qusra, cutting off essential utilities [1].
The siege represents a growing effort by settlers to seize Palestinian land by making residential areas uninhabitable through the restriction of basic resources.
Ridi, a resident of Qusra, said the siege has lasted for more than seven days [1]. He said that his household has been without water and electricity during this period [1]. According to reports, dozens of settlers have been involved in the blockade of several homes within the village [2].
"We are under siege and have been without water and electricity for days," Ridi said.
Local officials said the tactics are part of a broader strategy to displace the population. The mayor of Qusra said, "The settlers are trying to drive us from our homes."
Reports on the nature of the water shortage vary. Some sources indicate settlers have intentionally cut off power and water lines to the homes [2]. Other reports suggest settlers seized a freshwater spring to create a recreational pool, diverting the resource away from the village.
Security involvement in the village has also been reported. Some sources state Israeli troops have told families to leave their houses and have used some of the properties as barracks. Ridi has appealed for U.S. assistance to help him maintain possession of his home.
The village of Qusra remains a flashpoint as settlers attempt to expand their control over the surrounding territory. This specific blockade is part of a wider pattern of settler activity aimed at forcing Palestinian families to abandon their ancestral lands to make way for new settlements [3, 4].
“"We are under siege and have been without water and electricity for days,"”
The targeting of a Palestinian-US citizen highlights the precarious legal and physical position of dual nationals in the West Bank. By utilizing 'siege' tactics, such as cutting off water and power, settlers can exert pressure on residents to leave without relying solely on direct military eviction, creating a humanitarian crisis that complicates international diplomatic interventions.
