Israel declares West Bank village south of Hebron a military zone amid settler violence and forced displacement

Israel has declared the Palestinian village of Khillet al-Dab'a, in Masafer Yatta south of Hebron, a "closed military zone" for 24 hours, as part of what rights groups and local leaders describe as an escalating effort to forcibly displace residents and hand land to Israeli settlers.

The closure order, issued Sunday morning, bans any presence in the area except for local residents and comes after foreign and local delegations visited the village in solidarity with those resisting eviction.

The military sealed off the village after Israeli forces stormed it at dawn.

Residents were informed that no outsiders would be allowed in, following a wave of demolitions, settler attacks, and makeshift solidarity encampments established to defend the village from what Palestinians say is a campaign of expulsion under the guise of "military control".

On 5 May, Israeli forces demolished more than 25 structures in Khillet al-Dab’a, including homes, solar panels, water wells and agricultural shelters. The destruction left around 120 people homeless. Instead of leaving, families dug out caves and pitched tents to stay on their land and prevent its takeover.

Speaking to The New Arab's Arabic sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, anti-settlement activist Osama Makhamra said:

"This closure comes especially after foreign and local delegations visited to witness the conditions and the ongoing displacement in Khillet al-Dab'a. A solidarity tent had been erected and people from across Masafer Yatta were coming to show support - even if the residents now live in caves that lack the bare minimum for life."

Makhamra added that on Saturday, Israeli soldiers expelled international activists from the village, while settlers used off-road vehicles to intimidate them. He reported that Israeli police were only now moving to remove settlers who, on 26 May, took over a cave belonging to 62-year-old Abdullah Dababseh, pitched a settler tent on top of it, and assaulted neighbours.

"When Dababseh tried to file a complaint, he was detained for hours and fined," Makhamra said. "The settlers are still there, unleashing livestock to destroy residents’ crops."

Mohammad Raba'i, head of the al-Tuwani village council, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the council filed a legal objection against the settler presence. He warned that the declaration of a closed military zone "confirms the residents’ presence but also portends possible settler violence".

Raba'i said two foreign activists were arrested and expelled from the region on Saturday.

He added that settlers and their supporters attempted to establish a new outpost after demolishing Dababseh's home and looting its contents, including personal belongings. Israeli authorities have since demanded a full list of village residents, restricting all movement in and out.

The Al-Baydar Organisation for the Defence of Bedouin Rights condemned the move as "a dangerous escalation" aimed at expanding settlements. It warned that Israel's demands for resident names are "an attempt at full control" and called on the international community to act.

Khillet al-Dab'a is one of 12 Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta slated for removal after Israel’s High Court ruled in May 2022 that the area could be used as a military firing zone. Rights groups say this is a legal cover for forcible transfer.