Yesterday, the Israeli authorities carried out extensive and unprecedented demolitions in three villages in Masafer Yatta in the southern Hebron Hills. Large forces of the army and police accompanied the bulldozers that demolished 11 structures, most of them in the village of Khalat a-Daba, where houses, caves, and electricity and water infrastructure were destroyed. Additional houses were demolished in the villages of Jinaba and Maghayir al-Abid. The demolitions come after a decades-long legal battle, which ended in May 2022 with the High Court of Justice authorizing the state to demolish all the villages in Firing Zone 918 in the Yatta area and expel their residents. While Palestinians are having their homes demolished in the Firing Zone, settlers are building more and more outposts (with direct and indirect assistance from the state). Peace Now has documented 10 outposts in Firing Area 918 so far, which have led to a sharp increase in violence against Palestinians in the area.
— Yehuda Shaul (@YehudaShaul) February 10, 2025
The widespread demolitions likely signal the state’s intention to implement its plan to expel all Palestinians from Firing Area 918 in Masafer Yatta. The Regavim right wing movement, which is pressuring the government to demolish homes and expel Palestinians in the West Bank, issued a statement welcoming the demolition (under the title “With the High Court’s Authorization”) and seeing it as part of the implementation of the expulsion plan.
While Palestinian home being demolished, Peace Now has documented in recent years the increasing establishment of outposts within the 918 fire zone. In the past year alone, settlers have paved about 3 km of roads between the outposts within the fire zone. These outposts enjoy the support and protection of the IDF, alongside infrastructure such as solar panels that the state has begun to finance for illegal settler farms.
Peace Now: The demolitions in Masafer Yatta are part of a governmental plan to forcefully deport the Palestinians from their homes and lands and to settle it with Israelis. For years the State claimed in court that the demolitions are necessary because in a firing zone no civilian presence is allowed. Now it is becoming clear that the State has no problem with civilian presence, as long as it is of Israeli-settlers and not of Palestinians.
The outposts and farms in firing zone 918
1. Avigail
Year of establishment: 2001
Dozens of houses from the outpost were built within the firing zone, and at least 17 demolition orders were issued against them, which, as far as we know, were not enforced.
Houses in the Avigail outpost within firing zone 918
2. Ma’on Farm
Year of establishment: 2001
Dozens of houses from the outpost were built within the firing zone, and at least 40 demolition orders were issued against them.
3. Mitzpe Yair Farm
Year of establishment: 2013
A cafe operates in the outpost, alongside residential houses, a sheepfold, and other agricultural buildings. At least 8 demolition orders have been issued against the buildings.
Sheep in the Mitzpe Yair farm
4. Har Ella farm
Year of establishment: 2023
A road was paved to the farm that connects it to the Mitzpe Yair outpost and it has several structures and solar panels.
Har Ella Farm
5. Droma farm
Year of establishment: 2023
With the establishment of the outpost, an illegal road was paved that connects it with the Avigail outpost, and it is also connected to Avigail by a water pipe.
Daroma farm
6. Tuv Haaretz farm (part of Old Maon Farm)
Year of establishment: 2023
One family lives in the outpost and has a goat pen and other structures.
Tuv Haaretz farm
7. Har Maon farm (part of Old Maon Farm)
Year of construction: 2023
The outpost has several residential and agricultural structures and solar panels. Several pergolas have been erected in its vicinity that are defined as observation posts.
Har Maon farm
8. Mitzpe Yair North
Year of establishment: 2024
The outpost was established between the houses of the Palestinian community of Simri, which was forcefully expelled by violence and threats from settlers.
Mitzpe Yair North next to the house of a Palestinian family that was expelled
9. El-Nave Outpost
Year of establishment: 2024
The outpost was established as a “neighborhood” of the Avigail Outpost. It has several buildings, an electric gate and solar panels.
El-Nave outpost
10. Mitzpe Malkiya Farm
Year of establishment: 2024
The outpost was established in December 2024 on the site of a former observation post. Solar panels were installed in the outpost and it is connected to a water pipe.
Mitzpe Malkiya farm
