Palestinian Families Besieged by Settlers in Kousra Face Ongoing Harassment and Blockades

For three days, Palestinian families in the village of Kousra have been under siege by settlers who established an illegal outpost near their homes, blocking access and cutting off essential supplies. Louis Abu Ridi, a resident of Ohio and owner of a house in the restricted area of Kousra, reported that his brother and son, who live there, have been completely isolated without food or water. Abu Ridi purchased the land in 2014 with all necessary permits from the Palestinian Authority and planned to spend part of the year there, but recent events have made it unsafe for him to return.

Despite the arrival of Israeli military forces, the settlers leave temporarily only to return shortly after. Abu Ridi emphasized that removing the outpost alone is insufficient and called for permanent security measures to prevent settlers from reestablishing their presence. He has contacted U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and shared documentation with international media, elevating the issue to a diplomatic level.

Local residents, including Rokaya Hassan Abu Ridi, described daily attacks and harassment, with settlers repeatedly cutting off water and electricity and blocking the main road with rocks. The psychological impact on children is severe, with reports of fear and anxiety due to the constant threat. The settlers have already forced one family to leave and continue to restrict access to homes.

After three days, Israeli security forces dismantled the settlers' makeshift shelter, but extremists quickly returned and resumed blocking access. Clashes occurred between settlers and Israeli forces, with the military announcing reinforcements to prevent further incidents. The situation has drawn condemnation from the White House and U.S. officials, who expressed shock and demanded explanations from Israel, questioning how the military allows such attacks on Palestinians to continue. The incident has caused embarrassment for Israel’s supporters in the U.S. government, with some advisors reportedly confronting Israeli officials angrily.