In the arid hills of Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank, fear grips Palestinian villages as a new Israeli directive paves the way for the destruction of homes and the potential forcible transfer of over 1,200 residents. The move follows decades of legal battles by Palestinians trying to protect their communities from expulsion.

Night Watches and Bulldozer Alerts

Residents of Masafer Yatta, including the village of Tuba, now take turns staying awake through the night, watching for Israeli settlers who often approach under the cover of darkness. “When we saw the masked settler, we knew he wanted violence,” said 27-year-old resident Ali Awad.

By day, villagers remain alert for the approach of Israeli bulldozers. The area, designated by Israel in 1981 as a military training zone (firing zone 918), is now subject to a new directive that cancels all pending Palestinian building permit requests—effectively clearing legal hurdles for large-scale demolitions.

UN: "A War Crime"

The UN human rights office has condemned the directive, warning that the mass demolition and forced transfer of civilians “would amount to forcible transfer, which is a war crime.” It also said the move could qualify as a crime against humanity if it forms part of a widespread or systematic attack.

The Israeli military argues that live-fire exercises require the area to be “sterile,” stating no construction can be permitted in firing zones. Yet legal experts argue the move sidesteps existing rulings and erases decades of residents' documentation and appeals.

Rise in Settler Violence

Amid bureaucratic threats, violence from Israeli settlers has surged. Residents report beatings, arson, and attacks on children. Nasser Shreiteh’s home in Susyia was set on fire by settlers in late June. “They want everyone to disappear,” he said, vowing to stay despite the destruction.

Since October 7, 2023, violence in the West Bank has escalated dramatically, with at least 950 Palestinians killed and 9,000 injured, according to health authorities. The presence of far-right Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir has emboldened settlers, many of whom now serve in military reserves in the same region.

International Legal and Political Fallout

In 1981, former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon explicitly stated that firing zones should be used to prevent “expansion of Arab villagers.” Now, rights groups say the current policy follows that same objective. The Israeli human rights group B’Tselem called for urgent international action, stating that “the only way to stop this is whether there is clear international action.”

Despite the dire outlook, residents remain defiant. “We are mentally preparing for more demolitions,” said Awad. “There’s nothing more on the ground we can do, besides putting our words in the media so they can reach farther than we can scream.”