Cassif eventually reached the families and expressed his support.

Louai Ridi, a Palestinian American, has been effectively trapped on his property since settlers first arrived in the area on Aug. 9. The settlers pitched a tent surrounding Ridi’s home before cutting water pipes and electricity lines and blocking roads leading to his property, making it extremely difficult for the Ridi family and other residents to go about the area.

Videos posted by Cassif, Zo Haderekh and the Palestinian families have brought international attention to the standoff, creating an unusual degree of pressure on the Israeli government and its military.