15 feb 2019
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) assaulted on Thursday street sellers at the entrance to Fawar refugee camp, south of al-Khalil, and destroyed their goods.
According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli military bulldozer stormed the area and forcefully removed all street vendor stalls.
A number of street sellers were briefly detained and investigated during the attack, the sources added.
According to eyewitnesses, an Israeli military bulldozer stormed the area and forcefully removed all street vendor stalls.
A number of street sellers were briefly detained and investigated during the attack, the sources added.
Israeli forces razed and leveled lands in the Urif village, in the northern occupied West Bank district of Nablus, on Friday morning.
Israeli forces also sealed a road with dirt mounds to prevent villagers from reaching their agricultural lands.
Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma’an that Israeli forces and settlers are attempting to “impose a reality” on Palestinian lands classified as Area B by razing and leveling large area of lands and preventing farmers from reaching their lands by placing dirt mounds to block the road.
Palestinian farmers own more than 200 dunams of agricultural lands in the eastern area of Urif.
Daghlas pointed out that the razing comes hours after Israeli settlers, from the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Yitzhar, complained about the opening of an agricultural road for Palestinian farmers in Urif, which caused clashes to erupt between locals and Israeli forces and settlers.
Israeli forces also sealed a road with dirt mounds to prevent villagers from reaching their agricultural lands.
Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activity in the northern West Bank, told Ma’an that Israeli forces and settlers are attempting to “impose a reality” on Palestinian lands classified as Area B by razing and leveling large area of lands and preventing farmers from reaching their lands by placing dirt mounds to block the road.
Palestinian farmers own more than 200 dunams of agricultural lands in the eastern area of Urif.
Daghlas pointed out that the razing comes hours after Israeli settlers, from the nearby illegal Israeli settlement of Yitzhar, complained about the opening of an agricultural road for Palestinian farmers in Urif, which caused clashes to erupt between locals and Israeli forces and settlers.
In January, about 40 Palestinian-owned structures were demolished or seized by Israeli authorities — almost the same as the monthly average recorded in 2018 — displacing 44 people and otherwise affecting some 200 others, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the occupied Palestinian territory said, in its monthly report.
In OCHA’s report on West Bank demolitions and displacement, one of the demolitions reportedly took place on punitive grounds, and the remainder occurred due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain.
Over 70% of the structures targeted, this month, were in 11 communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank, which is under total Israeli military rule.
In one of them, in Beit Iksa, Jerusalem area, the livelihoods of 50 people were affected by the demolition of four animal structures, a cesspool and the walls surrounding one home, with losses estimated at over 1.25 million shekels (303,000 euro). Beit Iksa (app. 1,700 residents) is one of other “dislocated” Palestinian communities in the Jerusalem area that have been physically separated from the rest of the West Bank by the segregation barrier, but residents are not allowed to enter East Jerusalem.
In al-Simiya village, in the Hebron district of the southern West Bank, three tents provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Education, to serve as a school, were seized, affecting 45 children. This is the third time in four weeks that structures for this school have been seized.
In a joint statement issued on 30 January, the Humanitarian Coordinator and UNICEF expressed deep concern “by the high number of reported incidents of interference in or near schools in the West Bank, since the beginning of the school year.”
At Imreiha village, in the Jenin district of the northern West Bank, also in Area C, two structures funded by the European Union and its member states, including a home and a mobile latrine, were seized and as a result, four people were displaced.
In East Jerusalem, ten structures were targeted during January, less than the monthly average of 15 recorded in 2018. Additionally, a Palestinian refugee family became at heightened risk of forced eviction from its home, following an Israeli court ruling in favor of a settler organization claiming ownership over the land. The home is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where the family was settled, with the support of the United Nations and the Jordanian government, in the 1950s.
At least 870 Palestinians in East Jerusalem have pending eviction cases filed mainly by settler organizations.
Also, this month, the Israeli army blew up an apartment in the town of Yatta, in Area A, which is under full Palestinian control, on punitive grounds. The apartment was home to a Palestinian who stabbed and killed an Israeli settler, in September 2018, and was detained, after he was shot and injured.
In OCHA’s report on West Bank demolitions and displacement, one of the demolitions reportedly took place on punitive grounds, and the remainder occurred due to the lack of Israeli-issued building permits, which are almost impossible to obtain.
Over 70% of the structures targeted, this month, were in 11 communities in Area C of the occupied West Bank, which is under total Israeli military rule.
In one of them, in Beit Iksa, Jerusalem area, the livelihoods of 50 people were affected by the demolition of four animal structures, a cesspool and the walls surrounding one home, with losses estimated at over 1.25 million shekels (303,000 euro). Beit Iksa (app. 1,700 residents) is one of other “dislocated” Palestinian communities in the Jerusalem area that have been physically separated from the rest of the West Bank by the segregation barrier, but residents are not allowed to enter East Jerusalem.
In al-Simiya village, in the Hebron district of the southern West Bank, three tents provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Education, to serve as a school, were seized, affecting 45 children. This is the third time in four weeks that structures for this school have been seized.
In a joint statement issued on 30 January, the Humanitarian Coordinator and UNICEF expressed deep concern “by the high number of reported incidents of interference in or near schools in the West Bank, since the beginning of the school year.”
At Imreiha village, in the Jenin district of the northern West Bank, also in Area C, two structures funded by the European Union and its member states, including a home and a mobile latrine, were seized and as a result, four people were displaced.
In East Jerusalem, ten structures were targeted during January, less than the monthly average of 15 recorded in 2018. Additionally, a Palestinian refugee family became at heightened risk of forced eviction from its home, following an Israeli court ruling in favor of a settler organization claiming ownership over the land. The home is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where the family was settled, with the support of the United Nations and the Jordanian government, in the 1950s.
At least 870 Palestinians in East Jerusalem have pending eviction cases filed mainly by settler organizations.
Also, this month, the Israeli army blew up an apartment in the town of Yatta, in Area A, which is under full Palestinian control, on punitive grounds. The apartment was home to a Palestinian who stabbed and killed an Israeli settler, in September 2018, and was detained, after he was shot and injured.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces cut off the water supply lines which provide water to the Masafer Yatta communities, south of Hebron.
The head of the Twaneh village council, Mohammed Reb’i, said that Israeli forces cut off water lines which feed 17 communities in Masafer Yatta.
Reb’i added that the measures come in the context of targeting citizens and their steadfastness in those areas, in an attempt to force them to leave their homes to illegal Israeli settlement expansion.
Israeli forces recently bulldozed a road that had been rehabilitated and connected the village of Twaned to the area of Khallet al-Daba.
According to the PNN, some 1,500 residents live in Masafer Yatta, and the Israeli occupation prevents the construction of roads and the provision of basic services, in these areas.
The head of the Twaneh village council, Mohammed Reb’i, said that Israeli forces cut off water lines which feed 17 communities in Masafer Yatta.
Reb’i added that the measures come in the context of targeting citizens and their steadfastness in those areas, in an attempt to force them to leave their homes to illegal Israeli settlement expansion.
Israeli forces recently bulldozed a road that had been rehabilitated and connected the village of Twaned to the area of Khallet al-Daba.
According to the PNN, some 1,500 residents live in Masafer Yatta, and the Israeli occupation prevents the construction of roads and the provision of basic services, in these areas.
14 feb 2019
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday at dawn, several areas in the central West Bank governorate of Ramallah, and abducted eight Palestinians, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) has confirmed.
The PPS said several army jeeps invaded Kufur Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah, searched and ransacked many homes, before abducting Suleiman Sa’da, Mohammad Abul-‘Al, Nafez Abdul-‘Al, Jabr Ibrahim al-‘Anani and Fadi Abu ‘Aadi.
It added that the soldiers conducted extensive and violent searches of homes in the village, and illegally confiscated cash from the home of a former political prisoner, identified as Rashad Ahmad Za’rour.
In addition, the soldiers also invaded and searched homes in the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, before abducting Qussai Hmeidat, Yousef Zobeidi and Ibrahim Nasr Zobeidi.
In related news, the soldiers installed two roadblocks on the Jenin-Nablus road, and near Barta’a village, southwest of Jenin, in northern West Bank, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and interrogated scores of Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
The PPS said several army jeeps invaded Kufur Ni’ma village, west of Ramallah, searched and ransacked many homes, before abducting Suleiman Sa’da, Mohammad Abul-‘Al, Nafez Abdul-‘Al, Jabr Ibrahim al-‘Anani and Fadi Abu ‘Aadi.
It added that the soldiers conducted extensive and violent searches of homes in the village, and illegally confiscated cash from the home of a former political prisoner, identified as Rashad Ahmad Za’rour.
In addition, the soldiers also invaded and searched homes in the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah, before abducting Qussai Hmeidat, Yousef Zobeidi and Ibrahim Nasr Zobeidi.
In related news, the soldiers installed two roadblocks on the Jenin-Nablus road, and near Barta’a village, southwest of Jenin, in northern West Bank, before stopping and searching dozens of cars, and interrogated scores of Palestinians while inspecting their ID cards.
Israeli soldiers invaded, on Thursday morning, the southern area of Hebron city, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, and fired gas bombs near a local school, causing dozens of schoolchildren to suffer the effects of teargas inhalation.
The soldiers also invaded homes in the city, and in Yatta town, and confiscated two cars.
Media sources in Hebron that the soldiers invaded the area surrounding the local Tareq Bin Ziad School and fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at students, protesting the invasion.
They added that several schoolchildren suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by the local medics, who rushed to the school.
The soldiers also invaded many neighborhoods in southern Hebron and searched the homes of Ahmad al-Qawasmi and Anas al-Hashlamoun, before confiscating al-Hashlamoun’s car.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Yatta town, south of Hebron, and searched the home of Samir Bheiss, before confiscating his car.
The soldiers also invaded homes in the city, and in Yatta town, and confiscated two cars.
Media sources in Hebron that the soldiers invaded the area surrounding the local Tareq Bin Ziad School and fired many gas bombs and concussion grenades at students, protesting the invasion.
They added that several schoolchildren suffered the effects of teargas inhalation, and received the needed treatment by the local medics, who rushed to the school.
The soldiers also invaded many neighborhoods in southern Hebron and searched the homes of Ahmad al-Qawasmi and Anas al-Hashlamoun, before confiscating al-Hashlamoun’s car.
In addition, the soldiers invaded Yatta town, south of Hebron, and searched the home of Samir Bheiss, before confiscating his car.
13 feb 2019
Israeli police forces arrested Wednesday eight Palestinians of Al-Atayqa family in Negev, south of Israel.
Palestinian sources said the eight detainees were rounded up for refusing to evacuate their houses in Rahat city for settlement expansion.
Last November, Israeli forces stormed Rahat city and demolished a house and a workshop belonging to the family under the pretext of being built without permit.
Few weeks later, Israeli police also demolished a number of buildings belonging to the same family and arrested a number of its members including an employee in Rahat municipality.
Israel plans to build several new Jewish communities after displacing thousands of Palestinian citizens from Bedouin villages.
A new report has revealed how 2,752 structures were demolished in Bedouin Palestinian communities in the Negev over the last three years, part of what human rights activists have described as an ongoing, concerted campaign of displacement by Israeli authorities.
Palestinian sources said the eight detainees were rounded up for refusing to evacuate their houses in Rahat city for settlement expansion.
Last November, Israeli forces stormed Rahat city and demolished a house and a workshop belonging to the family under the pretext of being built without permit.
Few weeks later, Israeli police also demolished a number of buildings belonging to the same family and arrested a number of its members including an employee in Rahat municipality.
Israel plans to build several new Jewish communities after displacing thousands of Palestinian citizens from Bedouin villages.
A new report has revealed how 2,752 structures were demolished in Bedouin Palestinian communities in the Negev over the last three years, part of what human rights activists have described as an ongoing, concerted campaign of displacement by Israeli authorities.
Israeli soldiers invaded, Wednesday, Beit Jala city, west of the West Bank city of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, and demolished a Palestinian home.
Media sources said dozens of soldiers surrounded Bir Una area in Beit Jala, adjacent to the illegal Annexation Wall, before storming the home of Mohammad Mousa Zreina.
Mohammad stated that the soldiers assaulted him and his family, before forcing them out of their home, and demolished the property.
The army claimed the home, built on private Palestinian lands, was not licensed by “Civil Administration Office,” the administrative branch of Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
IOF demolishes new Palestinian facilities near Bethlehem
Israeli military bulldozers demolished on Wednesday two Palestinian facilities in Beit Jala town, northwest of Bethlehem, for being allegedly built without permit.
Local sources reported that Israeli forces stormed Bir Onah area of Beit Jala early today and demolished a house belonging to the resident Khalil Zerina.
A nearby agricultural facility was also destroyed under the same pretext, the sources added.
Commenting on the incident, the Palestinian Ministry for Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s demolition policy which aims at minimizing the Palestinian presence.
Media sources said dozens of soldiers surrounded Bir Una area in Beit Jala, adjacent to the illegal Annexation Wall, before storming the home of Mohammad Mousa Zreina.
Mohammad stated that the soldiers assaulted him and his family, before forcing them out of their home, and demolished the property.
The army claimed the home, built on private Palestinian lands, was not licensed by “Civil Administration Office,” the administrative branch of Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
IOF demolishes new Palestinian facilities near Bethlehem
Israeli military bulldozers demolished on Wednesday two Palestinian facilities in Beit Jala town, northwest of Bethlehem, for being allegedly built without permit.
Local sources reported that Israeli forces stormed Bir Onah area of Beit Jala early today and demolished a house belonging to the resident Khalil Zerina.
A nearby agricultural facility was also destroyed under the same pretext, the sources added.
Commenting on the incident, the Palestinian Ministry for Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s demolition policy which aims at minimizing the Palestinian presence.
12 feb 2019
Israeli military bulldozers demolished Tuesday evening three Palestinian-owned homes in Silwan town, in occupied Jerusalem.
According to Palestinian media sources, two homes and a store belonging to the resident Jamal Yahya were demolished without any prior notice for being allegedly built without Israeli permit.
Yahya said that he received a demolition order against the two houses before reaching an agreement with Israeli municipality to only demolish a part of them.
He pointed out that he was not allowed to evacuate the store before its demolition.
Along the same line, another house was demolished in Silwan town without prior notice. A widow and her five children became homeless as a result.
Israel uses the pretext of building without a permit to carry out demolitions of Palestinian-owned homes on a regular basis.
According to Palestinian media sources, two homes and a store belonging to the resident Jamal Yahya were demolished without any prior notice for being allegedly built without Israeli permit.
Yahya said that he received a demolition order against the two houses before reaching an agreement with Israeli municipality to only demolish a part of them.
He pointed out that he was not allowed to evacuate the store before its demolition.
Along the same line, another house was demolished in Silwan town without prior notice. A widow and her five children became homeless as a result.
Israel uses the pretext of building without a permit to carry out demolitions of Palestinian-owned homes on a regular basis.
A group of Israeli settlers attacked on Tuesday afternoon a Palestinian shepherd, as he was herding his flock of sheep in an open field in al-Farisiya village, in the northern Jordan Valley.
Local sources identified the attacked shepherd as Barakat Ali Daraghmeh and confirmed that he was transferred to a nearby hospital in Tubas to receive medical treatment.
Also in the Jordan Valley, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian resident of Umm Jamal village, only one day after his brother’s detention.
On the other hand, Israeli forces ordered 50 Palestinian Bedouin families to leave their homes in the Jordan Valley ahead of a new military drill, for the second such move in one week.
Local sources identified the attacked shepherd as Barakat Ali Daraghmeh and confirmed that he was transferred to a nearby hospital in Tubas to receive medical treatment.
Also in the Jordan Valley, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian resident of Umm Jamal village, only one day after his brother’s detention.
On the other hand, Israeli forces ordered 50 Palestinian Bedouin families to leave their homes in the Jordan Valley ahead of a new military drill, for the second such move in one week.
Israelis residing in an illegal settlement outpost built on Palestinian land in al-Khalil threatened to kill a Palestinian family in case they do not leave their home.
Palestinian citizen Emad Ekneibi said Israeli settlers stormed his family home in al-Khalil’s Old City, in the southern occupied West Bank, and ordered him to evacuate the building.
At the same time, Israeli forces prevented al-Kifah human rights monitor from documenting violations in al-Shuhadaaa Street. Israeli settlers assaulted the group for the third day running and obstructed their work. The Israeli army declared the area a closed military zone and kicked out the activists.
Activist Issa Amr said he has received death threats by Israeli intelligence and occupation authorities, adding that Israeli fanatics violently attacked him and the locals.
Palestinian citizen Emad Ekneibi said Israeli settlers stormed his family home in al-Khalil’s Old City, in the southern occupied West Bank, and ordered him to evacuate the building.
At the same time, Israeli forces prevented al-Kifah human rights monitor from documenting violations in al-Shuhadaaa Street. Israeli settlers assaulted the group for the third day running and obstructed their work. The Israeli army declared the area a closed military zone and kicked out the activists.
Activist Issa Amr said he has received death threats by Israeli intelligence and occupation authorities, adding that Israeli fanatics violently attacked him and the locals.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Tuesday arrested 18 Palestinians in the West Bank.
The Israeli army said in a statement that 16 "wanted" Palestinians were arrested for being involved in anti-Israel attacks.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the IOF arrested four Palestinians in Jenin after searching their family houses, which led to the outbreak of confrontations during which Palestinian youths hurled stones at the Israeli soldiers.
The IOF kidnapped a 16-year-old boy from his home in Beit Ummar town in al-Khalil, and arrested another Palestinian after seizing his car.
Other home raids were reported in Deir Istiya town in Salfit during which a Palestinian ex-prisoner was arrested.
Meanwhile in al-Khalil, the IOF stormed the home of the former Minister of Local Government Issa al-Ja'bari, wreaked havoc on it, and stole about $3,000 before they left.
The IOF handed a summons to an ex-prisoner in al-Fawwar refugee camp in al-Khalil ordering him to appear before the Israeli Intelligence Service at Gush Etzion detention center for interrogation.
In the neighboring Beit Furik town, the IOF raided the house of another ex-prisoner, interrogated him for hours, and seized a sum of money as they withdrew.
Violent clashes flared up in the town during the raid. The IOF soldiers heavily opened fire, injuring a Palestinian youth.
Eyewitnesses reported that the IOF broke into a printing house in Beit Jala town in Bethlehem and destroyed some equipment there.
Two Palestinian brothers were arrested, at the same time, in a night raid on Hizma town in Occupied Jerusalem.
The Israeli army said in a statement that 16 "wanted" Palestinians were arrested for being involved in anti-Israel attacks.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the IOF arrested four Palestinians in Jenin after searching their family houses, which led to the outbreak of confrontations during which Palestinian youths hurled stones at the Israeli soldiers.
The IOF kidnapped a 16-year-old boy from his home in Beit Ummar town in al-Khalil, and arrested another Palestinian after seizing his car.
Other home raids were reported in Deir Istiya town in Salfit during which a Palestinian ex-prisoner was arrested.
Meanwhile in al-Khalil, the IOF stormed the home of the former Minister of Local Government Issa al-Ja'bari, wreaked havoc on it, and stole about $3,000 before they left.
The IOF handed a summons to an ex-prisoner in al-Fawwar refugee camp in al-Khalil ordering him to appear before the Israeli Intelligence Service at Gush Etzion detention center for interrogation.
In the neighboring Beit Furik town, the IOF raided the house of another ex-prisoner, interrogated him for hours, and seized a sum of money as they withdrew.
Violent clashes flared up in the town during the raid. The IOF soldiers heavily opened fire, injuring a Palestinian youth.
Eyewitnesses reported that the IOF broke into a printing house in Beit Jala town in Bethlehem and destroyed some equipment there.
Two Palestinian brothers were arrested, at the same time, in a night raid on Hizma town in Occupied Jerusalem.
Israel's Jerusalem municipality on Monday demolished new parts of Mamilla Cemetery in favor of settlement projects.
According to Arab 48, Israel has so far destroyed 400 grave markers and tombs to clear way for the construction of cafés, hotels, restaurants, and the so-called "Museum of Tolerance".
Mamilla is one of the most prominent Muslim cemeteries that contains the remains of figures from the early Islamic period, including scholars and warriors.
The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in the Gaza Strip in an official statement condemned the Israeli plan to wipe off the cemetery and described it as an "unprecedented crime" against Islamic sanctuaries in the occupied territories.
The Ministry called on concerned international organizations, especially UNESCO, to protect the Islamic sites in Jerusalem and put an end to the Israeli policies targeting this sacred historical heritage.
According to Arab 48, Israel has so far destroyed 400 grave markers and tombs to clear way for the construction of cafés, hotels, restaurants, and the so-called "Museum of Tolerance".
Mamilla is one of the most prominent Muslim cemeteries that contains the remains of figures from the early Islamic period, including scholars and warriors.
The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in the Gaza Strip in an official statement condemned the Israeli plan to wipe off the cemetery and described it as an "unprecedented crime" against Islamic sanctuaries in the occupied territories.
The Ministry called on concerned international organizations, especially UNESCO, to protect the Islamic sites in Jerusalem and put an end to the Israeli policies targeting this sacred historical heritage.
The Israeli occupation authorities on Monday morning knocked down a Palestinian home in al-Walaja village in Bethlehem.
Anti-settlement activist Ibrahim Awadallah said that several Israeli bulldozers rolled into al-Walaja in the early morning hours and demolished a house owned by the Palestinian citizen Majdy al-Shubaki.
Awadallah told Quds Press that the demolished building was home to a family of five members who were left in the open with no shelter.
The Palestinian activist noted that Israel demolishes new houses in the village on a regulalr basis under the pretext of lacking Israeli building permits.
Anti-settlement activist Ibrahim Awadallah said that several Israeli bulldozers rolled into al-Walaja in the early morning hours and demolished a house owned by the Palestinian citizen Majdy al-Shubaki.
Awadallah told Quds Press that the demolished building was home to a family of five members who were left in the open with no shelter.
The Palestinian activist noted that Israel demolishes new houses in the village on a regulalr basis under the pretext of lacking Israeli building permits.
Israeli forces destroyed a recently-rehabilitated road that connected Khirbet Shaab al-Butum to Masafer Yatta, in the south of the West Bank, said a local activist.
Coordinator of the Anti-Wall and Anti-Settlement Committees in southern Hebron Rateb al-Jabour told WAFA that Israeli forces provided protection to a military bulldozer as it proceeded to destroy the road, which was used to facilitate Palestinian farmers’ access to their farmlands and residential areas.
He said the Israeli military act aims to displace Palestinians from the area to in order to build a settlement.
Khirbet Shaab al-Butum is among dozens of small communities located in the Masafer Yatta area, which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.
Masafer Yatta is classified as Area C, which is under full Israeli military control. Area C makes up around 60 percent of the area of the occupied West Bank, which Israel plans to annex after expelling its Palestinian population.
It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since the 1980s, and accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.
Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.
Coordinator of the Anti-Wall and Anti-Settlement Committees in southern Hebron Rateb al-Jabour told WAFA that Israeli forces provided protection to a military bulldozer as it proceeded to destroy the road, which was used to facilitate Palestinian farmers’ access to their farmlands and residential areas.
He said the Israeli military act aims to displace Palestinians from the area to in order to build a settlement.
Khirbet Shaab al-Butum is among dozens of small communities located in the Masafer Yatta area, which rely heavily on animal husbandry as the main source of livelihood.
Masafer Yatta is classified as Area C, which is under full Israeli military control. Area C makes up around 60 percent of the area of the occupied West Bank, which Israel plans to annex after expelling its Palestinian population.
It has been designated as a closed Israeli military zone for training since the 1980s, and accordingly referred to as Firing Zone 918.
Israeli violations against the area include demolition of animal barns, homes and residential structures. Issuance of construction permits by Israel to local Palestinians in the area is non-existent.
