Demolition Orders Target Schools and Homes in Masafer Yatta

For twelve-year-old Sundus al-Hamamdeh, the start of the new school year in Khirbet al-Fakhit began with normalcy and ended with displacement. According to reports, the student left her home for classes on Tuesday morning and returned to find the structure completely destroyed. Israeli forces had conducted a large-scale demolition operation in the village, eliminating homes, livestock shelters, and essential water and solar infrastructure. This incident highlights a broader pattern of activity in the south of Hebron, where the threat to residential stability has become a constant presence for local families.

The destruction extends beyond private dwellments to include critical educational infrastructure. Al Jazeera English notes that the specter of demolition now hangs over schools in the region, complicating the right to education for children in these remote communities. As authorities cite planning regulations as the basis for these actions, residents and international observers point to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary permits, creating a legal and physical barrier to maintaining a permanent presence in the area.

Educational facilities under legal threat

Shaab al-Butum school, established in 2015, serves approximately sixty students from kindergarten through eleventh grade. On August 4, Israeli military personnel surrounded the campus and demolished two rooms used by teachers and administrators, along with a storage facility. The United Nations independently documented the incident, noting that the justification provided was the lack of an Israeli-issued building permit. Education director Bassam Jabr stated that the remote location of the school makes it difficult to transfer students to alternative institutions, intensifying the impact of such actions on the student body.

The main building of the school remains under a demolition order, creating an ongoing uncertainty for staff and pupils. Intisar Omar Abu Sabha, an administrative director for the local education directorate, listed several other schools in communities such as Zif and Jinba as also facing similar legal threats. She described a concerning cycle where students risk losing both their homes and their classrooms in rapid succession, a situation that undermines the continuity of their education and daily lives.

Challenges of access and security

Navigating the landscape of Masafer Yatta involves significant logistical and security hurdles for students and teachers. Beyond the immediate threat of demolition, the population must contend with road closures, checkpoints, and the presence of settlers. Abu Sabha noted that schools have also suffered from direct damage and harassment on their grounds. These factors combine to create an environment where accessing education requires daily navigation of a complex and often hostile administrative and physical reality.

The area is designated as a military firing zone by Israeli authorities, a status that further complicates the ability of residents to maintain their presence. Legal advocates, including lawyer Yasmeen Sallaq, argue that the targeting of schools is a strategic move to erode the community's roots. By removing the central hub of community life, authorities aim to discourage families from remaining in the area, despite the harsh conditions and limited ability to defend themselves against these operations.

Appeals for international intervention

Local education officials have appealed to Israeli courts for protection, while simultaneously calling on the United Nations and foreign governments to intervene. They argue that the systematic removal of infrastructure violates international norms regarding the right to education and housing. The persistence of these orders, despite diplomatic and legal challenges, suggests a deepening conflict over the status of the land and its inhabitants.

The situation in Masafer Yatta continues to evolve, with new demolition orders potentially issued against remaining structures. The focus remains on whether international pressure can halt the dismantling of these communities. For now, the students of Khirbet al-Fakhit and surrounding villages pledge to continue their studies, even as the ground beneath their feet is increasingly unstable.