Khirbat al-Dabaa, Mughayir al-Abid & Jinba

What is affected

	Housing private
	Fruit-bearing trees, agricultural infrastructure, food stores

Type of violation

Forced eviction
Demolition/destruction

Date

11 February 2025

Region

AFA [ Africa anglophone ]

Country

Palestine

Location

Musafer Yatta, southern West Bank

Affected persons

	Total 65
	Men 0
	Women 0
	Children 0
	Indigenous

Proposed solution

Details

Development

Forced eviction

Costs

Demolition/destruction

Duty holder(s) /responsible party(ies)

	State
	Israeli occupation forces and supporting judiciary

Brief narrative

Urgent Demolition Alert Mass Demolitions in Masafer Yatta

12 February 2025

Israel, as the Occupying Power, is obligated under international law to protect the Palestinian population and their property. Yet, the widespread demolition of homes, essential infrastructure, and agricultural resources in Masafer Yatta constitutes a grave breach, contributing to the ongoing forcible transfer of Palestinian communities.

On February 10, 2025, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) carried out extensive demolitions in Masafer Yatta, targeting homes, agricultural structures, and essential resources such as water wells, water tanks, and tree nurseries. This wave of destruction further intensifies the forcible transfer of Palestinian residents and exacerbates their suffering and displacement.

In Khallet Ad-Dabaa, IOFs demolished seven homes, three residential caves, and a water well. In addition to the destruction of vital housing structures, trees and nurseries were uprooted, and water tanks and stone terraces belonging to the Dababseh family were destroyed.

In Mughayir Al-Abid, the IOFs demolished two agricultural rooms belonging to Fayez Ibrahim Makhamreh and Osama Fayez Makhamreh. They also uprooted ten trees in the surrounding area and destroyed agricultural crops belonging to Shahada Makhamreh and Kayed Makhamreh, further undermining the livelihoods of the local community.

In Jinba Village, two homes belonging to Ibrahim Ahmed Younis Mohammed were demolished, along with the destruction of solar energy systems, irrigated seedlings, and fruit-bearing trees. Another home belonging to Issa Ahmed Issa Mohammed was also destroyed. Israeli forces further targeted essential agricultural infrastructure by ruining Azolla nurseries spanning one dunum and crushing over 200 kilograms of Jameed (dried yogurt) with bulldozers.

The Society of Saint Yves, alongside civil society organizations and international partners, has been actively providing legal aid to prevent the forcible transfer of Palestinian communities in Masafer Yatta. Specifically, Saint Yves’ legal team has been handling many cases in Khallet Ad-Dabaa.

Previous Legal Efforts (2013-2024):

In 2013, we have adopted 20 home demolition cases thus proceeding to obtain a permit for those Palestinian structures. In 2013, we also submitted a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court regarding the rejection of planning procedures. The case ended with an agreement to withdraw the petition and submit a detailed plan for the above adopted home demolition orders. In 2013, we adopted another demolition order pertaining water well under the claim that is in State owned land. We filed a petition to the court that was rejected, and the occupying Israeli forces demolished the water well. In 2017, 7 new demolition order files were adopted by Society of Saint Yves as a detailed plan that was submitted which included Khallet Ad-Dabaa which was also rejected. A petition was submitted against the rejection of the detailed plan. The court rejected the petition thus granting the right to approach the military commander to request planning permission for Khallet Ad-Dabaa. In 2018, we handled a demolition order for a newly constructed building, an objection alongside a petition was submitted and rejected and the building was demolished. In 2020, a request for permission for detailed plan was submitted to the military commander for approval. In 2021, we adopted demolition orders for newly built structures for water wells in a nature reserve. We filed objections and petitions, and the court rejected our submissions. In 2022: Following a preliminary ruling preventing the eviction of residents from Masafer Yatta, the Civil Administration distributed notices granting additional opportunity before executing demolition orders. A petition was filed, arguing that demolitions should not proceed before a decision is made by the military commander regarding pending applications from 2020. The case ended with the rejection of objections, leading to a second petition to the Central Court. The court ruled that the Israeli Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the military commander’s decision regarding planning in Khirbet al-Dabaa. A petition was submitted to the Supreme Court challenging the military commander’s decision to reject planning in Khirbet al-Dabaa. However, the court dismissed the petition within two days without hearing. In 2024, demolition warnings with a 3-day objection window for 7 more structures. Multiple objections were submitted but rejected in 2025. We also attempted to request clarification of the court decision that the court didn’t share sufficient information thus not attaching documents etc.

Recent Legal Developments (2025):

The objections were rejected on 6 January 2025, granting a 7-day grace period. According to the response, a decision regarding Case would be issued within the licensing request submitted to them. 8 January 2025: St. Yves’ attorney requested clarification, as the response mentioned appendices that were not attached. 10 February 2025: The response was amended, attaching the appendices and granting a further 7-day grace period. 11 February 2025: Demolitions took place that day.

While structures without recent warnings are not in immediate danger, the risk remains high. If new warnings are issued, residents will have no meaningful recourse due to the ongoing rejection of planning applications and the military’s systematic denial of Palestinian building rights

For years, we have warned that Israel’s restrictive and discriminatory planning policies, the designation of Masafer Yatta as a military firing zone, and the systematic denial of building permits would lead to widespread demolitions and forcible transfer. Residents live under constant fear, struggling to survive in a coercive environment characterized by movement restrictions, settler violence, and ongoing military incursions. As a result, many families are now homeless and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance to meet their basic needs and rebuild their homes.

The Society of Saint Yves urgently calls on the international community, particularly the European Union, European member states, the United Nations, and Arab countries, to take immediate and concrete action to pressure Israeli authorities to halt the ongoing demolitions and forcible transfer of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta, including those in Khallet Ad-Dabaa.

Despite previous condemnations from the EU and UN, Israel continues to escalate its demolitions in Masafer Yatta. Words are no longer enough—immediate concrete action is required

Call for a freeze on the policy of demolitions of Palestinian structures which facilitates the coercive environment that leads to forcible transfer and the emptying of Palestinian communities. Demand unimpeded access and protection for humanitarian and relief activities and staff, as per Israel’s obligations as the Occupying Power.

-End-

https://www.saintyves.org/news/urgent-demolition-alert-mass-demolitions-in-masafer-yatta.html

Costs

€ 0

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