Halt of construction orders in Khirbet Deir Sa’ida

A child setting at the door step of his threatened family house

The Israeli occupation authorities handed over a number of halt of construction orders against  houses and barracks in Khirbet Deir Sa'ida south of Hebron city. 

The orders were handed over on February 19th, 2009 by a group of employees at the so-called Israeli civil administration in the West Bank accompanied by  military personnel. The affected people were told that the target structures are vulnerable to demolition if not licensed. Ironically, it is impossible to get any of these structures licensed under the pretext of being located in zone C ( under total Israeli security and civic affairs by Olso agreement ).

(copies of military orders A+B+C)

The affected people were asked to attend a court session to be held in this regard on March 12, 2009 at Beit Eil colony near Ramallah city.

Owner ship of target structures

All the target structures are owned by the extended family of Al Hawarin from adh Dahiriya town south of Hebron city. A number of nucleus families from Al Hawarin left the town many years ago and dwelt in their land in Khirbet Deir Sa'ida looking for graze and water for their cattle and for cultivating hundreds of dunums of fertile land with cereals and seasonal ground crops. They built for themselves  structures made of bricks and asbestos and for their cattle a number of barracks and sheds. An International organization, also, provided toilets.

Table 1: Ownership of  notified structures by name of owner, area, number of family members and type

Israeli authorities keep an open eye on Khirbet Sa'ida

Citizens of the Khirbet confirmed to LRC field researcher that personnel from the so-called Israeli civil administration often enter the hamlet searching for new structures or additions and take pictures of them. These actions on the part of the Israeli authorities aim at keeping the local inhabitants under a state of constant fear and uncertainty over their future in that particular area.

In case the Israeli threats are put in actions far more negative consequences will be caused to local people in terms of loosing all the livelihood sources for their livestock, and, in turn, the main income for their families.

A glance on Khirbet Sa'ida

It is located  in Wadi Al Khalil ( Valley Hebron) south east of ar Ramadin village at a hilltop close to the crossing terminal between the West Bank and Birsheva. It is facing Kibutz Mitar on the other side of the green line.  It's total population is about 150 people, all from Al Hawarin clan in adh Dahiriya town. They totally depend on animal rearing and agriculture as main income. There is no infrastructure in the hamlet such as water, electricity, schools and clinics. Electric generators and mobile tanks are the only means to get power and water for domestic use.     

(Photos 1: A general view of Khirbet Sa'ida)

(Photo 2: Wadi Al Khalil ( Mitar) crossing terminal)

Prepared by:
The Land Research Center
LRC