israeli soldiers attack protesters in Hebron, February 16, 2018. Photo credit: Hebron Defense Committee.
Over the first week of March, Israeli settlers set up tents in the center of Hebron city just south of the Ibrahimi Mosque. The tents were built in sight of Israeli soldiers, suggesting at least tacit Israeli government approval of the project. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called on the international community to pressure the Israeli government to dismantle the tents, saying they are “aimed at Judaizing the Ibrahimi Mosque and its surroundings and the Old City of Hebron.” Palestinians in Hebron attempted to protest the tents, but Israeli soldiers forbid them from congregating in the area.
Israeli settlers set up a tent in the courtyard of the Ibrahimi Mosque, March 9, 2018. Photo credit: Mashour Wahawa for WAFA, edited by AIC.
On March 5, 2018, settlers built four mobile homes in Khalet al-Abd near Beit ‘Einun village in the northern part of the Hebron district. The land on which the mobile homes were installed belongs to the Aida, Abdo and Abu Halawa families. The settlers intend to build an outpost on 70 dunams of grape vines. According to local sources, the families endured frightening Israeli harassment, violence and arrests prior to the installation of the mobile homes.
A new settlement outpost installed in Beit ‘Einun, March 5, 2018. Photo credit: Hebron Defense Committee.
On March 9, 2018, a 24-year-old deaf Palestinian named Mohammed al-Jabari was shot and killed during a demonstration in Hebron city. Eyewitnesses report that he was not involved in the protest when he was shot.
On March 10, 2018, around 30 settlers – some of them armed – attacked the Palestinian village of a-Tuwani in the South Hebron Hills. Settlers stoned homes, damaged two cars and tried to set fire to the village’s mosque. A witness to the attack, Jum’a Rabae, reports that the settlers came from the nearby Ma’on and Givat Ma’on settlements. Operation Dove adds that after settlers threatened locals, Israeli soldiers shot tear gas and stun grenades into the village. Residents of a-Tuwani said this was the second time in a week that settlers attacked the village.
An Israeli soldier shoots tear gas and stun grenades at Palestinians in a-Tuwani after setters attack their homes and threaten them with guns, March 10, 2018. Photo credit: Operation Dove.
On March 16, 2018, 25 people were treated for tear gas inhalation and three for wounds sustained by rubber bullets after Israeli soldiers attacked a peace march in Bab el Zawiya at the entrance to besieged Shuhada Street. The demonstration called for opening of Shuhada Street and the Israeli occupied area of Hebron. Protesters also demanded that US President Donald Trump overturn his order to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem.
Confrontations between young men and the occupation forces in Hebron, March 16, 2018. Photo credit: Mashhour Wahawah for WAFA
On March 26, 2018 Israeli settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, occupied two homes owned by the Zaatari family near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The location of the two homes occupied by Israeli settlers but owned by the Zaatari family in downtown Hebron. Photo credit: Peace Now.
Residents of Hebron report that on March 29, 2018 settlers invaded al-Rajabi home in the center of the city despite an Israeli Supreme Court decision on March 3, 2018 ordering the settlers to evacuate the house.
The al-Rajabi family home in downtown Hebron occupied by settlers, March 22, 2018. Photo credit: Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Also on March 29, 2018, the Israeli army invaded many areas of Hebron city during the night as well as neighboring villages, such as Jabal Jouhar, Wadi Abu Iktiala and Beit Kahil. Five Palestinians were arrested. Israeli soldiers damaged the home of Radwan Ziyada and confiscated a car belonging to Wael Mohammed el Bitar.
Locals report that on March 30, 2018, Husain Hafez Al Huraiuni, 20, was injured in his right leg when the settler ran over him with an all-terrain vehicle in a-Tuwani village. He was taken to Yatta hospital where his case described as critical but stable.
Ahmad Jaradat is the Senior Project Coordinator at the Alternative Information Center.