The Governorate of Hebron is located in the southern part of the West Bank. It is the largest Governorate in the West Bank in terms of size and population. Hebron Governorate has he population of 543880 inhabitants, according to the estimates of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (2006). The total area of Hebron Governorate is 1067539 dunums, of which 63497 dunums are Palestinian built up areas.    

 

Israeli settlements in Hebron Governorate

According to the Geographical Information There are 33 Israeli settlements established in Hebron Governorate and occupy an area of 13887 dunums (about 1.3 % of the total area of Hebron Governorate). The Israeli settlers' population in the Governorate is estimated at 14531. In addition, the Israeli settlers established 44 outposts since 1996, practically after the former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon called upon settlers to occupy hilltops before losing them to Palestinians in negotiations in an attempt to expand the existing settlements and force new facts on the ground (ARIJ GIS Database 2006). See Map of Hebron Governorate

 

  

 

Since the beginning of 2007, the Israeli Army along with the Israeli settlers intensified their belligerent attacks on the Palestinian resident of Hebron. The following is a summary of the Israeli violations since January 2007 to May 2007.  

 

January 2007

• Damaging Private Palestinian properties and restricting Palestinians' movement

During this month, the Israeli Occupation Army attacked several of Palestinian private (houses) and other Palestinian commercial establishments (two commercials stores and a garage) causing extensive damages to their contents and battered the owners who resisted the Israeli Army's attack. These incidents took place in multiple Palestinian communities, in Dura town (south of Hebron city), Al Haras village (north), and the old city of Hebron. The owners are 'Adnan Fayyad Al Suweti, Muhammad Islam Rezeq Abu Zneid, Mahmud Rayyan Al Sharawneh, Rami Al Fallah, 'Ali Khaled Mur and Naji Abu Khalaf A-Ejel. in a different kind of violation, the Israeli Army closed off A-Talleh road that connects Hebron city neighborhoods with the Ibrahimi Mosque and the Old City of Hebron and set up flying checkpoint at the main entrance of Al 'Aroub refugee camp located north of Hebron city for long hours during which students from the adjacent Aroub technical collage were strictly searched and held for hours. On the other hand, the Israeli Army continued to prevent Palestinians from passing through Al Shuhada Street located in the old city of Hebron, despite the Israeli Supreme Court's decision to allow the Palestinian to use this road and also instructed the Israeli Army to close it off. The which, the United States funded its  reconstruction is vital to the lives of the Palestinians in Hebron city as connects the two parts of the city together.

• 2700 Dunums of Palestinian lands are under threatened to be confiscated

On January 10, 2007, the Israeli occupation Army sanctioned a private plan to construct a new stone quarry 'Hanson' on 300 dunums of lands planted with Almonds, belongs, but confiscated from Al Masharqa and Tbeish in Um Al Shaqfan area northwest of Ad Dhahriyeh town south of Hebron city. Another private plan to establish yet another stone quarry on 450 dunums of confiscated lands belong to Hajja and Al Talahmeh families in Torosous area.

 

On the other hand, the Israeli settlers from Susiya settlement located to the southeast of Yatta town south of Hebron city razed lands belonging to the families of An Nawaj'a, Al Hidar and Al Hellis for the construction of a new bypass road that will facilitate the settlers' access to 150 dunums of lands which the settlers are currently holding to encompass to the settlements' area. In addition, Israeli settlers from Shim'a settlement southwest of As Samu' town south of Hebron city have been trying to take control of 1800 dunums of lands owned by Abu 'Awwad Family located in Widadi area southwest of the town close to the settlement.

• Israeli Settlers' aggressions against Palestinian workers

On January 25, 2007, settlers from Abraham Avino located in the heart of the old city of Hebron attacked Palestinian labors working on renovating the house of Mr. Yusif Nu'man Ash Sharabati, which was severely vandalized by the settlers while trying to push him out of his residents in order to included to the settlement.

 

February 2007

• Israeli Army notify Palestinians with House demolishing orders 

On February 8, 2007, the Israeli Occupation Army issued 17 military warnings to stop constructions in 17 locations in Qassa Hamlet west of Edhna city, west of Hebron city. The warning also included instructions to demolish what ever construction exixisting at the time of the warnings were delivered. The threatened construction locations belong are owned by Ahmad Shehde Hamed Waredat, Izzat Muhammad Abu Sa'doun, Yousif Abdel Qader Al Nattah, 'Aref Muhammad Ahmad Abu Sa'doun, and Salem Ahmad An Nattah

• The Israeli Army Destroys 12 Palestinian structures

The Israeli bulldozers demolished 12 Palestinian structures in various locations in Hebron governorate under the pretext that it were built without proper licensing. The Israeli Army demolished 6 houses in Mnezel and Quasses villages, in Al-Ras village, the Israeli Army demolished 3 barracks used as workshops by the its owners and in Idna village 3 agricultural Green houses were razed. Among the owners, the following were known: 'Eid Salem Rashid, Mahmud Abu Qbeitah, Mahmud Hussein An Nattah, Ibrahim Hashem Al Batran, and Abdel Hamid Salem Abu Juheisheh.  

• Lands Confiscations: 201+ dunums were confiscated for military purposes

The Israeli Army handed out residents of Farsh Al Hawa area west of Hebron city a military order holding # (7/5/ T) to confiscate 400 square meters of land that  belongs to Yacob Salman Al Qawasmi. The confiscation order stated that the Army intends to put-up a military watchtower in order to control the area residents' access to their agricultural lands.

 

In Beit Ummar town north of Hebron city, the Israeli Army issued a military order holding # 59/167 to confiscate 665 square meters of Palestinian lands belongs to Mahmud Abdel Rahman Atieh Al Hamed. The confiscation order stated the the confiscated land will be used to establish a waster water treatment station. More in Beit Ummar, the Israeli Army confiscated and leveled vast agricultural areas of Um Al Tala' lands in order  to construct a new bypass road that will connect this area with Migdal 'Oz settlement ( north). The confiscated lands belong to Muhammad Zeidan Abu 'Ayyash, Fayeq Hasan Abu 'Ayyash.                                   

                                                                                                            

Additional confiscations were carried out at other location by the Israeli Army. in Huraibeh hamlet south of Beit 'Awwa town southwest of Hebron city, the Israeli Army released its bulldozers to level an area of 100 dunums of lands planted with olives trees owned by the families of Al Suweit and Masalma to expand an Israeli bypass road that links the Israeli Segregation Wall path with the established Israeli settlements (Nahal) Negohot and to establish a security zone area for the road with barbed wires on both sides of the bypass road.

 

Settlers of Kiryat Arba' settlement under Israeli Army's protection bullied 100 dunums of land from Jales mountain located close to the settlement east of Hebron city by planting it  with forestry trees to annex it to the settlement. The confiscated lands belong to families of Jaber, Al Lidawi and Al Zour.

• Uprooting of trees

Israeli settlers from Susiya settlement southeast of Hebron city and Avigail outpost southeast of Yatta town uprooted more than 100 Olive trees belonging to Palestinian residents in order to establish an additional link between the outpost and the settlement that are growing toward each other. It is worth mentioning that the Palestinian farmers depend on their agricultural lands as a main source of income after they lost their jobs inside the Green line (the 1949 Armistice Line).

• Violations against Palestinian Farmers, Lands, and Structures

A group of Israeli settlers living in outpost caravans near to Shim'a settlement southeast of the Palestinian town As-Simou' south of Hebron city attacked and bullied 3 Palestinian farmers while they were grazing their sheep in the fields close to the area where the caravans are set. Furthermore, the Israeli Army hindered Palestinian landowners from planting their lands in Zeif area east of Yatta town due to its close location to the Israeli outpost Avigail.

 

In another incident, more than 20 Israeli settlers from the settlement of Abraham Avino along with a group of supporting Israeli soldiers have forcibly taken control of an old deserted Palestinian house, located near the vegetable market in the southern part of Hebron city. The settlers attempted to demolish a number of Palestinian Commercial stores located near the settlement.

• Breaking into Palestinian service buildings & turning a Palestinian house into military point

Israeli Army broke into three Palestinian service Societies (the Islamic Charity Society, Al Ihsan Charity Society and Taffuh Charitable Society) in Hebron city, causing severe damages to the contents of the properties. Moreover, the Israeli settlers in the old city of Hebron has taken control of two Palestinian houses owned by Mufeed Al Sharabati and Jamila Al Shalaldah causing severe damages to its contents, which were scattered out violently in order to allow new settlers to move in. parallel to the Israeli settlers actions, the Israeli Army have taken control of yet an additional house near the Israeli settlers quarter in the old city close to the Ibrahim Mosque and turned it into a military point. The house belongs to the Palestinian Naser Al Tamimi in Al hadadin Market.

 

March 2007

The Israeli Army set-up several temporary checkpoints in several towns and villages in and around Hebron city such as( Dura & Adh Dahiriya towns ( south and southwest of the city), Al Karaj and Al Saray'a areas in Yatta town (south) and Khursa village (southwest), where many Palestinian cars were held for hours.

 

Israeli Forces broke into Beit 'Awa town (south), Zif village (located on the southern slope of Mount Hebron) and in Ash Shuyukh town to the east of the city, took over several number of Palestinian structures (houses, a mosque and the Islamic Charitable Society), causing severe damages to its contents.

 

Dozens of Israeli settlers from Kiryat Arba settlement took control of an under construction Palestinian building in Wadi Al Nasara neighborhoodowned byFayez Al Rujby. The targeted building is located on the main road between Kiryat Arba settlement and the city. The Israeli settlers claim to have purchased the building from its Palestinians owners.

 

Settlers from (Nahal) Negohot settlement (southwest of Hebron city) attacked several numbers of Palestinian houses in Khirbet Salama village located near the settlement, and caused severe damages to the properties. In another incident, a group of Israeli settlers from Ramat Yashai settlement located in Tel Ar-Rumaida area in the center of Hebron city attacked the residents of Abdul khaliq As Sa'id and destroyed the sewage system.

• Military warnings for the construction of the Segregation Wall

On March 11, 2007, the Israeli Army handed out families of Al Rashaida, Al Ka'abna, Saray'a and Ka'abnat Alro'in in Al Msafer area located between the towns of Yatta (south of Hebron city) and Bani Na'im east of the city, military warnings to evacuate the area in order to build the segregation Wall.

• Taking over of 102 dunums of Palestinian lands

On March 19, 2007, the Israeli Army informed residents of Hallhul of a military order to confiscate 2 dunums of lands from Halhul town north of Hebron city in order to establish an Israeli military base and to develop the road linking between the new site of the military base and the bypass road # 60.

 

On March 22, 2007, Israeli bulldozers razed more than 100 dunums of lands in Adh Dhahiriya town south of Hebron city in order to increase the operation area of an Israeli stone crusher near Hagay.

• Demolishing properties

On March 20, 2007,Israeli bulldozers completely demolished two houses belonging to Ibrahim Hasouna Abu Yousif in Halhul town north of Hebron city, claiming that they were built without licenses. Moreover, two other Palestinian houses received demolishing notices under the same pretext.

 

April 2007

• Violations against Palestinian farmers

On April 11, 2007, Israeli Occupation Army denied Palestinian Farmers from accessing their agricultural lands located near Avigail outpost southeast of Yatta town south of Hebron city. The Israeli Army's pretext was that the area was declared under military control.

 

On April 21, 2007, a group of Israeli settlers operating under the protection of the Israeli Army prevented Palestinian farmers of Beit Ummar and Halhul north of Hebron city from planting Olive trees in their agricultural lands. Among owners known were: Samir 'Abed Allah Sleiby, Nayef Sleiby, Issa Ali Sleiby and Odeh 'Awad.

• Extra Violations by Israeli Settlers:

On April 14, 2007, Israeli settlers of Ma'on settlement southeast of Hebron city constructed a new outpost 'Havat Ma'on' on a hilltop east of Yatta town south of Hebron city. Moreover, on19thof April, settlers from Ma'on settlement and under the protection of Israeli Army took control of large Palestinian lands in Khalet Kharuba located in Yatta town under the pretext of military purposes.

 

On April 25, 2007, Israeli settlers took partial control of two Palestinian residential buildings near Al Rajaby building in Hebron city, which they took control of one month ago.

• Demolitions

On April 19, 2007, Israeli bulldozers demolished 7 Palestinian houses in Quyoys and Imnazil villages east of Yatta town south of Hebron city under the pretext of being built without licenses. Houses belong to Mahmud, Ibrahim, Khalil Nu'man Abu 'Aram and Muhammad Khalil Abu Qbeita, displacing more than 75 dwellers.

 

On April 23, 2007, another four Commercial stores were demolished in Bab Al Khan area in the old city of Hebron belonging to Musa Jwales, 'Atta Fanoun and 'Abed El Salam Al Qasrawy. Such action comes as an initial step to control the land and handed over later on to the Israeli settlers' control.

• Closing off the road to the Ibrahim Mosque

The Israeli Occupation Army put-up three Iron Gates, equipped with barb wires on the roads and entrances leading to the old city of Hebron and to the Ibrahim Mosque. Two more Gates on Al Muraba'a and Suq A Laban areas were put-up for the same purpose.

 

May 2007

On May 3, 2007, Israeli settlers from Susiya settlement south of Hebron city continued their aggression under the protection of the Israeli Army on the nearby Palestinian agricultural lands, denying Palestinian farmers access to their land, and at the time ruining the agricultural Palestinian crops in the targeted area. Among owners known was Khalil Musalam Khalyla al Ayam.

• More Palestinian lands are threatened to be confiscated

On May 6, 2007, a group of Israeli settlers set up a tent on Al Jamjama hilltop northeast of Hebron city nearby an Israeli military base as an initial step to construct an outpost later on. The Palestinian families, Mer'ib, mansour and 'Emran, own the hilltop.  

 

On May 27, 2007, the Israeli bulldozers confiscated more Palestinian Lands in Beit Ummar town north of Hebron city, to pave the pre-erected bypass road that connects Migdal Oz settlement with the area of Marah Abu Soda located to the northeast of Al'Arrub refugee camp north of the city. The razing process caused the destruction of the field crops cultivated in the lands owned by Abu 'Ayyash family.

• Demolition threats against Palestinian Houses located in Kherbit Salameh and Faqeqis villages

On May 12, 2007, the Israeli authorities handed out military notices to 11 residents to stop constructing their houses under the pretext of not having building permits in Kherbit Salameh and Faqeqis in Hebron, among building threatened is a mosque. The threatened houses are located 500 meters away from the Isreali settlement of Negahot.

 

On May 16, 2007, the residents of Khirbet Salameh near Dura city south of Hebron received another eight military notices in order to evacuate their houses in order to demolish them. Among owners know were: Muhammad Isma'il Awlad Muhammad, Emad Yunis 'Orjan, Kamil Muhammad Hasan Awlad Muhammad (two- storey house), 'Abed Allah Muhammad Abu Karefa, Osama 'Ali Musa Awlad Muhammad and Fayz Muhammad Abu Ghalya. Moreover, the Israeli Army handed several other military orders to Al 'Awawda family, Majed Mahmud Abu Sharar and 'Ala 'Abed El Jalil Abu Sharar in Faqaqies village to demolish their houses under the same pretexts.

 

On May 28, 2007, the Israeli bulldozers staged into Al Baq'a area near Kharisena settlement east of Hebron city and demolished three Palestinian houses owned by Emad Muhammad Bader Jaber and Hani Salim Fadel Jaber under the pretext that they were built without building licenses.

 

 

Prepared by
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
ARIJ