Settlers Besiege Palestinian Family's Home in West Bank, Threatening Displacement
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Settlers have besieged the home of Salem Al-Hathaleen in Umm al-Khair, West Bank, restricting his family's movement and their sheep pen, threatening their displacement. Al-Hathaleen claims to have land documentation but faces settler assertions of "state land" and appeals for intervention. The situation has led to the death of sheep and severe restrictions on the family's life, with UN reports highlighting ongoing settler violence and demolition threats in the region.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Settlers have besieged the home of Salem Al-Hathaleen in Umm al-Khair, West Bank, restricting his family and livelihood.
- Al-Hathaleen claims to possess land documents and asserts settlers aim to displace his family "by any means."
- The family's sheep pen has been partially fenced off by settlers, leading to sheep deaths and limiting access.
- Restrictions include the closure of the home's bathroom for four months and settlers approaching windows at night.
- UN reports indicate over 1,600 settler attacks in the West Bank by September 2026, with prior warnings of displacement threats in Umm al-Khair.
Settlers have surrounded the home of Salem Al-Hathaleen in the village of Umm al-Khair, south of Hebron in the West Bank, restricting the movement of his family, their sheep pen, and even internal facilities. Al-Hathaleen, 53, states that this situation, which has become a daily source of anxiety, threatens to force his family to leave the land they have inhabited for generations. He asserts that he possesses documentation for the land, emphasizing, "They want to displace us by any means." The pressure extends to the surrounding lands and the sheep pen, the family's sole source of livelihood. Settlers have erected a fence within the pen, limiting Al-Hathaleen's access to care for his sheep, resulting in the death of several animals. Surrounding grazing lands have also been closed off, restricting the family's freedom of movement.
Al-Hathaleen reports that settlers frequently approach the house, with some directing abusive language towards the women. He notes that the presence of Israeli forces has not alleviated the harassment, stating, "The army and police come and do nothing." The family lives in constant fear, struggling to sleep due to the persistent presence of settlers. Al-Hathaleen fears this is part of a pattern affecting other Palestinian families, warning, "Today me, tomorrow my neighbor." He considers the actions a threat to the residents' ability to remain in their homes and appeals for intervention.
His wife, Ikhlas Al-Hathaleen, detailed how the restrictions have impacted the home's facilities, including the closure of the bathroom for four months. She explained that even opening a window or reaching out of one could lead to arrest due to the severe restrictions around the house. Settlers approach windows at night, causing distress to their daughter, Sarah, who studies and sleeps in her room. The family has had to secure windows and has limited access to heating, making life inside the home increasingly difficult.
Umm al-Khair is located in the Masafer Yatta region, an area where Palestinian communities face ongoing pressure from settlement expansion, building restrictions, demolitions, and limited access to land and pastures. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported over 1,600 settler attacks in the West Bank by September 14, 2026, affecting hundreds of Palestinian communities. The UN Human Rights Office previously warned in November 2025 that demolition orders targeting structures in Umm al-Khair threatened to displace its residents, noting that Israeli authorities deem most Palestinian structures illegal due to a lack of permits, which Palestinians are denied.
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