Khirbet Al-Malih, located in the northern Jordan Valley, faces relentless attacks by the Israeli settlers and the Israeli Army, similar to many Palestinian villages in the region. These near daily attacks aim to forcibly displace the indigenous population and expand settlements at the expense of Palestinian land.
The family of Mrs. Iman, consisting of ten members, currently lives in a fragile tent after being prevented by the Israeli Civil Administration (ICA) from completing the construction of their home. The area is home to seven families, comprising around 50 individuals in an extended family, with females making up 48% of the population. Like many Jordan Valley families, they rely on livestock and sheep farming as their sole source of income. However, escalating settler attacks since last October have deepened their suffering.
Picture shows the construction the ICA denied the family to complete
Picture shows tent location
Image of military order
In a recent attack, settlers set fire to the car of Mrs. Iman’s husband, resulting in a financial loss of 9,000 shekels. When the family tried to recover by purchasing a new car, it too was vandalized twice, with the windows shattered, causing additional losses of 4,000 shekels. Unable to afford further repairs, the family, like many others, lost their only means of transportation. This left them stranded, facing immense difficulties in accessing basic services, commuting to work, and tending to their farms, all amidst military checkpoints and settler violence. These actions indicate a deliberate intent to deprive these families of their basic rights and force them into a state of fear and instability.
Picture A shows car prior to attack
Picture B Shows car after attack
Picture shows car after vandalized
The family has faced further aggression. One settler invaded Mrs. Iman’s home while she was alone, spilling food on the floor and issuing threats, leaving her terrified. Previously, her son was attacked while herding sheep, beaten, and had his phone broken. Additionally, their family’s tractor and trailer were confiscated, resulting in losses estimated at 60,000 shekels. The Israeli Army also seized 38 sheep barriers, 2 rolls of 140-meter fencing each, and 3 sheep shelters, causing another financial loss of 19,000 shekels.
Picture show confiscated tractor
A Microcosm of Widespread Suffering
Mrs. Iman’s story is just one of countless examples of the hardships endured by thousands of Palestinians in the northern Jordan Valley. Behind the statistics lie real people losing their homes, livelihoods, and sense of security. Despite these aggressions, the families remain steadfast, holding onto their land and their right to exist in the land of their ancestors. These repeated violations are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic policy aimed at displacing Palestinians and imposing facts on the ground. The denial of basic human rights, such as safe housing, employment, and freedom of movement, constitutes a blatant violation of international norms and laws. It calls for urgent international action to protect Palestinian civilians.
About Khirbet Al-Malih
Khirbet Al-Malih and its Bedouin cluster lie northeast of Tubas, approximately 10 km from the city. It is bordered by the Jordan River to the east, the villages of Ein Al-Beida and Bardala to the north, Yarza and Al-Aqaba to the west, and Al-Jiftlik to the south.
As of 2017, the village had a population of 732, with women comprising 51% and men 49%. The total area of the village is 500 dunams. The Bedouin encampments of Al-Malih consist of scattered, simple dwellings or tents spread across the northern Jordan Valley. Each encampment houses a limited number of families who rely on livestock and agriculture for their livelihoods. Although these encampments function as independent residential units, they are closely linked by strong social and economic ties, unified under the larger community of Khirbet Al-Malih.
**************************************************************
Prepared as part of the project:
“Mapping and Diagnosing Palestinian Rural Women’s Livelihood and Economic Empowerment in Area “C”
Implemented by: The Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ)
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem
