Israel accelerating ethnic cleansing in Masafer Yatta

The communities of Masafer Yatta in the South Hebron hills have suffered daily settler violence and repeated house demolitions by the authorities for years. 

Now, 14 communities, located in an area Israel declared as Firing Zone 918, are at immediate risk of expulsion. On 18 June, the Israeli planning authorities rejected all planning applications submitted by Palestinian residents, citing a "security need" for military training in the area. This is a distorted and manipulative use of the concept of "security need" that fails to meet the terms of international law.

The decision paves the way for the destruction of entire communities - homes, schools, and infrastructure - within days or weeks, the effective forcible transfer of the residents and a full Israeli takeover and annexation of the area.

Elsewhere, in the Jordan Valley, the village of al-Mu'arrahat, located near Jericho, faces increasing settler violence, as it has for years. On 2 July, settlers established an outpost next to the community, took over a home while the household members were away, vandalized it, and stole more than 60 sheep. The effect was immediate. The family packed their belongings and left the very next morning.