Since the War Began, Entire Areas of the West Bank Have Been Emptied of Their Communities

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Since the Gaza war began on October 7, four pastoral communities have been displaced from their places of residence in the area due to threats and violence from settlers. Four other nearby communities were displaced in the two preceding years, between the village of Duma and Malihat's village. Another community further south was also uprooted. This had a dramatic effect on both the lives of the communities that remained in place and those that fled. Their residents describe a process of impoverishment and huge fear over the future.

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One of the largest communities expelled in the months since the war began was from the village of Wadi al-Siq, which is separated from Maghayyir A-Dir only by a beautiful green wadi. Next to the ruins of the village, which are still visible, cows from the nearby outpost that was established only about a year ago are grazing today. The road that used to lead to the village is now blocked with stones.

According to Ibrahim, on the day the residents of Wadi al-Siq were expelled, a group of settlers he knew – and with whom he previously had a good relationship – entered his village. He says they recommended that the villagers evacuate for 10 days because the settlers were "angry" following October 7.

Like other communities in the area, the people of Wadi al-Siq suffered violence and threats even before the outbreak of the war, but these escalated significantly afterward. The approximately 180 residents who make up the community, from around 20 families, fled for their lives after an attack on the village on October 12 and threats that preceded it. The residents split up and today live in makeshift dwellings on the outskirts of several Palestinian villages, on land to which they have no rights and which they fear they will be forced to vacate.

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https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/2024-05-02/ty-article-magazine/.premium/since-the-war-began-entire-areas-of-the-west-bank-have-been-emptied-of-their-communities/0000018f-39a9-d9c3-abcf-7bfd66980000