# Settler blockade of Palestinian property in Qusra

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/settler-blockade-of-palestinian-property-in-qusra
> Updated: 2026-08-18T10:05:00.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

Palestinian-American Loay Abu Rida (also identified as Loui Ridi), a resident of Toledo, Ohio, returned to his family land in the village of Qusra, south of Nablus, to confront an ongoing blockade by Israeli settlers. Abu Rida, who began constructing a house on the ancestral land three years ago, raised the U.S. flag on his roof as a symbolic measure to signal his presence and seek protection.

The area has been declared a closed military zone. While Israeli soldiers provided an escort and requested that settlers leave, Abu Rida was instructed by the military to remain inside his residence. He reported that settlers remained in close proximity, expressing fear that they would return to threaten his family or forcibly seize the property once the soldiers departed. Ridi described the encounter as an illustration of the military’s “inability or unwillingness to remove settlers from Palestinian properties.”

Local officials, including the Mayor of Qusra and village head Abdul Asim al-Wadi, reported that the siege has lasted approximately ten days. The blockade has caused significant humanitarian distress, including shortages of food, water, medicine, and electricity. While water and electricity supplies have been partially restored, concerns persist regarding the depletion of food and medical supplies. Although UNICEF has provided essential aid, including hygiene items and food, local authorities noted that supplies remain insufficient to meet the needs of the besieged families. The blockade has also impacted local livelihoods, such as the forced closure of a ceramics facility.

## Claims

- Israeli army and police have not ended the blockade of the Palestinian family's home. (disputed by 8 sources)
- Water and electricity supplies to the besieged houses have been restored. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Luai Abu Rida, a US citizen and co-owner of one of the houses, returned from the United States to defend the property. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Luai Abu Rida displayed a US flag on the roof of his home. (corroborated by 7 sources)
- Unicef delivered water, food, medicine, hygiene items, and educational materials to the family. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- There is concern that food and medicine could run out. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Kusra: Palestinian family faces ten-day siege by Israeli settlers

A Palestinian family in Kusra, West Bank, remains under a ten-day siege by Israeli settlers. US citizen Luai Abu Rida has returned to defend his property, displaying a US flag on his roof.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kusra-palestinian-family-besieged-by-settlers-for-ten-days

### 2026-08-18: Palestinian American returns to besieged West Bank home

Palestinian American Loui Ridi returned to his besieged home in Qusra, West Bank, but was restricted to his house by Israeli military orders amid ongoing settler presence on his property.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestinian-american-returns-to-besieged-west-bank-home

---
Cite as: Settler blockade of Palestinian property in Qusra. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/settler-blockade-of-palestinian-property-in-qusra