A Morning Ritual of Anxiety: Life Under Demolition Threats in Masafer Yatta

Each morning, Alaa Hathleen begins his day with a sense of dread, his mind racing to a single, haunting question: “Who will be homeless today?” Just a few weeks ago, on February 18, the nightmare became his reality. Hathleen, a 25-year-old physical therapist and activist, was still asleep in his family home in the village of Umm Al-Kheir, located in the Masafer Yatta region of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. But his peaceful slumber was shattered when his mother rushed into the room, her voice trembling with fear: Israeli soldiers and excavators were outside. Within 30 minutes, Alaa and his family were forced to stand helplessly outside their home, watching as an excavator tore through the building, reducing it to rubble and snapping its metal roof in half. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.

This harrowing experience is not unique to Alaa and his family. Masafer Yatta, a region of rolling hills and small villages, has long been a focal point of Israeli demolitions. Recently, the area gained international attention when a documentary titled "No Other Land," co-directed by Palestinian activist Basel Adra and Israeli investigative journalist Yuval Abraham, won an Oscar. The film sheds light on the violence and abuses suffered by Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces and settlers in Masafer Yatta. Yet, for Alaa, the spotlight brought by the documentary has only heightened his fears. He worries that Israeli settlers and forces may escalate their attacks in retaliation, “opening the gates of hell” for those living in the region.

The Weight of Visibility: The Impact of the Oscar-Winning Documentary

While Alaa believes it is crucial to expose the harsh realities faced by Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, he fears the consequences of increased attention. Since the documentary was nominated for an Academy Award, fresh violence has erupted in the area. Amnesty International recently warned that another nearby village is under an “imminent threat of forcible transfer.” For Alaa, the risks are personal. He now sleeps in a large tent outside his brother’s house, alongside other relatives. The family dare not rebuild their home, fearing it would only be demolished again by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, the constant threat of violent settler attacks looms over them.

Mohammad Hureini, a 20-year-old activist and university student, shares a similar perspective. As the son of prominent activist Hafez Hureini, Mohammad has witnessed firsthand the struggles of living in At-Tuwani, another village in Masafer Yatta. While he acknowledges that the documentary has brought much-needed attention to the plight of Palestinians, he emphasizes that awareness alone is not enough to bring about change. “It’s not enough to stop what Israel is committing,” he says. The escalating violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers and forces, particularly since the start of the war in Gaza, underscores the urgency of the situation.

A Region Under Siege: The History of Displacement in Masafer Yatta

Masafer Yatta has been a flashpoint for Israeli demolitions since the 1980s, when the Israeli military declared the area a restricted military zone, labeling it “Firing Zone 918.” This designation has been used to justify the displacement of Palestinian families, despite a decades-long legal battle. In May 2022, Israel’s High Court of Justice effectively ended the legal fight by ruling in favor of the state, authorizing the demolition of villages in Masafer Yatta and the expulsion of its residents. Human rights organizations have condemned these forced evictions as a “gross violation of human rights.” Groups such as Peace Now and B’Tselem have criticized Israel’s mounting destruction of Palestinian homes, with former Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth accusing the Israeli government of using one excuse after another to expel Palestinians from their land.

The broader context of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, which began in 1967 after the Six Day War, frames the ongoing displacement. Israeli settlements, which have expanded throughout the West Bank, are widely regarded as illegal under international humanitarian law and contrary to U.N. Security Council resolutions. These settlements have been at the heart of the conflict, with Palestinian families like Alaa’s paying the highest price. The recent spike in violence against Palestinians, including the killing of at least 895 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since October 7, 2023, highlights the escalating nature of the crisis.

Fear of Retaliation and the Fragility of Advocacy

The Oscar win for "No Other Land" has amplified the voices of Palestinians like Alaa and Mohammad, but it has also heightened their vulnerability. Alaa fears that the international attention brought by the film could provoke Israeli settlers and forces into further violence. His concerns are not unfounded, as the region has seen a surge in attacks since the documentary’s nomination. For Alaa, the daily struggle to survive is compounded by the uncertainty of the future. He and his family now live in a tent, avoiding rebuilding their home for fear of another demolition. The threat of settler violence hangs over them, adding to the sense of vulnerability.

Co-directors Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham used their Oscar victory to issue a call to action. Adra urged the international community to “take serious actions to stop the injustice and to stop the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian people.” Abraham echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a political solution that respects the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. However, their words have fallen on deaf ears in some quarters. The U.S. government, in particular, has been criticized for policies that block progress toward peace, including its support for far-right Israeli settlers accused of violence. The return of the Trump administration has only deepened the sense of unease among Palestinians, with President Donald Trump’s recent threats against Palestinians further exacerbating fears.

Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty: The Fight for Justice Continues

Despite the immense challenges, Alaa, Mohammad, and other activists remain committed to their cause. For Alaa, the struggle is deeply personal. “It’s so hard, but what should we do?” he asks. “This is what they want—to kick us out of our land.” Yet, in the face of such adversity, he and others continue to advocate for justice. Mohammad, similarly, views the documentary as a step in the right direction, even if it is not a solution in itself. “It’s not enough to stop what Israel is committing,” he acknowledges, but he believes that raising awareness is a crucial part of the fight.

The resilience of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta and beyond is a testament to their determination to remain on their land. Despite the demolitions, the violence, and the threats, they continue to rebuild, to advocate, and to resist. For Alaa and his family, life in a tent is a harsh reminder of their vulnerability, but it is also a symbol of their refusal to give up. As the international community grapples with how to respond to the crisis, the voices of Palestinians like Alaa and Mohammad remind us of the human cost of occupation and the urgent need for justice and peace.

The road ahead is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the fight for Palestinian rights in Masafer Yatta and beyond is far from over. As long as voices like Alaa’s and Mohammad’s continue to be heard, there remains hope for a different future—one where justice, equality, and human rights prevail.