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Israel escorts Palestinian American Loui Ridi home after siege

8/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Israel escorted Palestinian American Loui Ridi into his Qusra home after a week-long settler siege.
The Israeli military had declared the area a closed military zone, restricting residents’ movement.
Ridi said he cannot leave without permission and that settlers threatened his family while soldiers told him to stay inside.
U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the siege, opposing annexation but supporting settlements.

History

Historical Context

After Israel’s 1967 capture of the West Bank and Gaza—prompted by the Six-Day War and later framed by UN Resolution 242—settlement expansion and military zones have persisted, from the Gush Emunim drive to the 2005 Gaza disengagement. Designating Qusra a closed zone in 2023 mirrors the 1967 movement restrictions, drawing criticism from the UN and U.S. President Donald Trump.

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Story summary

Israel escorted Palestinian American Loui Ridi into his Qusra home after a week-long settler siege.
The Israeli military had declared the area a closed military zone, restricting residents’ movement.
Ridi said he cannot leave without permission and that settlers threatened his family while soldiers told him to stay inside.
U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the siege, opposing annexation but supporting settlements.

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