The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has denounced a recent siege by Israeli settlers on the home of a Palestinian American family in the West Bank as a “horrific act of terror.” The incident took place in the village of Qusra, located south of Nablus, where settlers reportedly blocked the entrances to multiple homes, including that of Loui Ridi and his family, for several days. According to local officials, the settlers, some numbering in the dozens, threw stones, attempted to dismantle a protective wall, and restricted the family’s ability to leave, leading to a severe shortage of food and water. The situation escalated rapidly, prompting intervention by Israeli military forces. The siege began on Sunday, when settlers encircled the homes, preventing the occupants from exiting. By Thursday, Israeli troops had relocated Ridi’s brother, Qusai Abu Rida, along with his teenage son, to another residence within the village. Despite this relocation, the family remains trapped in the area, unable to leave due to ongoing restrictions imposed by the settlers. Israeli soldiers have stationed themselves near the village, maintaining a presence to monitor the situation. However, the military has not confirmed whether all affected residents have been evacuated, nor has it clarified the extent of its involvement in resolving the crisis. Local authorities, including Qusra Mayor Abdel Azim Wadi, reported that Israeli forces had evacuated seven homes in the village to establish positions, effectively surrounding the area. While the military has dismantled two illegal outposts and detained one Israeli individual, the settlers continue to occupy other sections of the village. Journalists on the scene described the roads leading into Qusra as closed on Thursday afternoon, further isolating the community. Israeli police have yet to provide updates on the status of the detained individual or any arrests made in connection with the incident. The situation in Qusra reflects a broader pattern of escalating settler violence in the West Bank. Over the past year, the village has become a focal point of conflict, with frequent attacks on Palestinian homes and infrastructure. In November 2025, an Israeli settler was killed, sparking retaliatory violence that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and four Palestinian villagers. Shortly thereafter, a mosque in Qusra was set ablaze, an incident widely attributed to settler activity. These acts of aggression have intensified in recent weeks, with settlers constructing new outposts and engaging in targeted harassment of Palestinian residents. The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv has been actively engaged in coordination with Israeli military and law enforcement agencies to address the crisis. Huckabee’s condemnation of the settlers’ actions underscores a rare public rebuke from the Trump administration, highlighting tensions within the U.S.-Israel relationship. While Huckabee has historically aligned with pro-settler factions, his recent comments mark a departure from previous stances, emphasizing the severity of the current situation. The U.S. has urged the Israeli government to take stronger measures to prevent such incursions, citing the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians. International observers, including representatives from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), have raised concerns about the role of the Israeli military in failing to protect Palestinian communities. Ajith Sunghay, head of the OHCHR office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, accused Israeli forces of either neglecting their duties or colluding with settlers to displace Palestinians from their homes. He emphasized that the situation in Qusra represents a critical moment, with the potential for irreversible displacement of families if immediate action is not taken. The UN has called for increased international pressure on Israel to uphold its obligations under international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilian populations during conflicts involving settlers. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, with many urging both sides to de-escalate tensions and pursue peaceful resolutions. The events in Qusra underscore the deepening crisis in the West Bank, where settler violence threatens to undermine prospects for lasting peace. With no clear resolution in sight, the plight of the affected families remains a pressing concern for human rights organizations and diplomatic entities alike.
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