Palestinian families in the Masafer Yatta region of the occupied West Bank are bracing for mass evictions as the Israeli military moves to demolish their homes and seize their land. Residents fear their villages could soon be wiped off the map, with around 1,200 people at risk of being forcibly displaced.
In late June, soldiers detained Mohamed Yousef and his family after they confronted armed settlers trespassing on their farmland. Though released the next day, the family was left shaken, forced to endure hours in the scorching heat at a nearby military camp. Such confrontations are common, as settlers increasingly graze livestock on Palestinian farmland in an effort to assert control, often under the protection of soldiers.
The pressure on Palestinian residents has intensified. On June 17, during a period of heightened regional conflict, the Israeli military submitted a request to demolish at least 12 villages in Masafer Yatta, claiming the area is needed for a military training zone. Human rights groups argue these designations are a pretext to remove Palestinians and expand Israeli settlements.
Historically, large portions of the West Bank have been labeled “closed military zones,” but in the vast majority of these areas, no training exercises have taken place after the residents were displaced. The tactic is seen as a method to gradually transfer Palestinian land into the hands of settlers.
Residents of Masafer Yatta have lived in the area for generations, but in the eyes of the military and courts, they are often not recognized as “permanent residents.” In 1999, communities were issued eviction orders under the designation of “Firing Zone 918,” a legal battle that has dragged on for decades. Despite returning under court protection in 2000, they now face a fresh threat of expulsion.
The situation worsened in May 2022 when a court ruled in favor of evicting eight villages. Though evidence was presented to prove permanent residence—such as historic tools and documentation—it was dismissed. Lawyers defending the villagers argue the legal system is biased and designed to facilitate Israel’s broader goals in the West Bank.
Recently, the military has taken steps to expedite the demolitions. A decree issued by the Civil Planning Bureau on June 18 rejected all pending Palestinian building permit applications in the area. This aligns with the military’s plans and nullifies any administrative efforts the villagers had made to stall demolitions.
Palestinians in the West Bank rarely receive building permits, especially in Area C, where Israeli authorities maintain full control. Meanwhile, permits for settlers are routinely approved, reinforcing a system of structural inequality.
With legal options dwindling, villagers are cut off and increasingly isolated. Security forces have begun seizing vehicles and arresting activists supporting the communities. Attacks by settlers, often under military watch, have intensified.
Many residents now live in constant fear of imminent destruction. The threat of mass demolitions hangs over them, and without external intervention, they expect forced expulsions to begin soon. The people of Masafer Yatta are holding on, but for how long remains uncertain.
