Palestinian American says settlers remain despite West Bank military zone

A Palestinian American homeowner in the occupied West Bank says Israeli forces have not cleared settlers from a hillside above his property, despite declaring the area a closed military zone more than two weeks ago.

Loui Ridi, who owns a home near the Palestinian village of Qusra, said soldiers have prevented him and other residents from moving freely in the area without prior coordination. In video footage recorded on 25 August, Ridi is seen speaking with soldiers near a fence, telling them, "Okay, thank you. I will comply, I will go back to my house."

In a separate statement, Ridi said three military vehicles arrived and ordered him inside his house, telling him the area was a closed military zone. He noted that he had been assured just a week earlier that he could be there. "He even threatened me, if I don't leave, they will be using force against me," Ridi said.

Ridi also said settlers have been allowed to come and go freely, and that a van they parked on the hill above his house has not been removed. "The settlers are able to walk freely, and they're not enforcing the law on them," he added.

The siege began on 9 August, when a group of settlers surrounded three homes, intimidating residents, destroying property, and blocking access. The incident drew international condemnation, including from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who referred to the settlers as "terrorists."

Israeli troops clashed with settlers in the early days of the siege and later cleared the area, declaring it a closed military zone to restore order. One settler was briefly detained, but Israeli police have not reported any arrests.

Video footage from 26 August shows a military bulldozer and crane operating near Ridi's house, along with people standing near a parked van.

Around 2.8 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule in the West Bank, while roughly 560,000 Israeli settlers reside in communities and outposts across the territory. Extremist settler attacks on Palestinian villages have increased this year, emboldened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government. The international community largely considers Israeli settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace.