RAMALLAH / PNN /
As a result of Israeli campaign coordinated between Israeli settlers and Israeli forces has resulted in the displacement of the last two Palestinian families from the Al Khalayel valley, south of the town of Al Mughayyir in the occupied West Bank, according to a report prepared by the International Solidarity Movement.
The report which was prepared by activists from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), an international solidarity network active in the Palestinian territories, said the Abu Najeh and Abu Naim/Abu Hamam families left the area between Feb. 20 and Feb. 22 following a series of incidents that allegedly included raids, property damage, arrests and live fire.
According to the activists’ account, the Abu Najeh family compound consisted of 12 households totaling about 50 people. The family had previously been displaced multiple times over the past decades and had relocated to Al Khalayel two years ago after leaving Ein Samiya in 2023. They had invested resources into establishing homes on land they say they own.
The report states that on Feb. 17 Israeli forces entered the family’s homes seeking three men accused of throwing stones at settlers. When they were not found, a 55-year-old man was detained and later released the following day, according to the activists.
Majid Omari, 32, one of the men reportedly sought for arrest, was quoted as saying the family feared further violence. On Feb. 20, the Abu Najeh family began dismantling their homes and preparing to leave the area.
The following day, activists said settlers used drones to monitor the nearby home of the Abu Naim family. The report alleges that settlers later entered the property, damaged belongings and infrastructure, and assaulted family members.
It further states that Israeli forces fired tear gas as residents from Al Mughayyir attempted to reach the home. Two people were reportedly wounded by live ammunition during the events and were taken for medical treatment.
Activists said both families later returned briefly to remove remaining belongings before leaving the area permanently.
Al Khalayel is located near Al Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah. Palestinian officials and rights groups have reported an increase in settler-related incidents in rural areas of the West Bank in recent years.
In a court hearing earlier in February concerning foreign activists, Israeli state representatives were quoted in the report as saying actions in the area were aimed at “expelling Bedouin people who illegally occupy the area,” a characterization rejected by the Palestinian residents, who maintain they have legal ownership of the land.
A 23-year-old relative of the Abu Naim family was quoted in the report as saying, “We left against our will, but the land remains and will return to its original owners.”
