Condolence visit to Deir al Assal (Tahta)
Our hearts sank when we read this: “The IDF shot and killed a Palestinian who tried to damage the fence in the Hebron region. Published 19.3.14, 10:31.
A Palestinian youth was shot by the IDF near Deir al-Assal a-Taht, southwest of Hebron, as he was trying to damage the separation fence. He was brought to Soroka hospital in Beersheba where he died from his wounds.
The IDF reported soldiers observed three Palestinians damaging the separation fence and initiated the procedure for apprehending suspects.
We came to extend our condolences. The bereaved father.
They told us the youth who had been killed was only 14, that there had been a hole in the fence for two years, that more than once soldiers had taken youths who’d been caught there back to their homes. That all he wanted to do was pick tumble thistlesfor his mother to cook.
Deir al Assal is located in the western Hebron Hills, near the fence along Highway 358.
The family comes from an Arab village destroyed in the 1948 war. 180 dunums of their land had been confiscated. After 1967 an addition 60 dunums were taken. They had 60 dunums left, on the other side of the fence. They’re allowed to cultivate their olive grove for three days during the year, and are given a week to harvest the crop.
The father is almost 70, has two wives and supports 20 children. He had a commercial permit to enter Israel; one son had a permit to enter as a construction laborer.
After the three days of mourning they wanted to return to their work in Israel but their permits were confiscated at the Meitar crossing. Not only must they mourn – now their livelihood has been taken away. They’re “dangerous” – the itchy trigger finger, the hand that kills children rather than detaining them is impelled by hatred. And, once again, all of us are guilty of this injustice.
Itai Mak, the attorney, was there yesterday. He’ll try to get their permits restored (the chances aren’t good – the two are “dangerous”). Gid’on Levy, the journalist from Ha’aretz, arrived after us. Perhaps a broad public campaign might make a difference (I’m doubtful).
We left with very heavy hearts.
South Hebron Hills
See all reports for this place-
South Hebron Hills
South Hebron Hills is a large area in the West Bank's southern part.
Yatta is a major city in this area: right in the border zone between the fertile region of Hebron and its surroundings and the desert of the Hebron Hills. Yatta has about 64,000 inhabitants.
The surrounding villages are called Masafer Yatta (Yatta's daughter villages). Their inhabitants subsist on livestock and agriculture. Agriculture is possible only in small plots, especially near streams. Most of the area consists of rocky terraces.Since the beginning of the 1980s, many settlements have been established on the agricultural land cultivated by the Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills region: Carmel, Maon, Susia, Masadot Yehuda, Othniel, and more. Since the settlements were established and Palestinians cultivation areas have been reduced; the residents of the South Hebron Hills have been suffering from harassment by the settlers. Attempts to evict and demolish houses have continued, along with withholding water and electricity. The military and police usually refrain from intervening in violent incidents between settlers and Palestinians do not enforce the law when it comes to the investigation of extensive violent Jewish settlers. The harassment in the South Hebron Hills includes attacking and attempting to burn residential tents, harassing dogs, harming herds, and preventing access to pastures.
There are several checkpoints in the South Hebron Hills, on Routes 317 and 60. In most of them, no military presence is apparent, but rather an array of pillboxes monitor the villages. Roadblocks are frequently set up according to the settlers and the army's needs. These are located at the Zif Junction, the Dura-al Fawwar crossing, and the Sheep Junction at the southern entrance to Hebron.
Updated April 2022
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