Al Fakheit is one of 12 villages located in the Masafer Yatta area that Israel claims as Firing Zone 918. The Palestinians living in these villages have fought a long legal battle to remain in their homes. On January 3 the Abu Sabha family lost their last legal appeal in an Israeli court.

The Abu Sabha family’s home and barn

Mohammed, the father of the family, was born in the village, in a cave home that is over a century old. In the 1990s Mohammed built tents for his family near the home, and in 2016 he built two homes, all on his privately owned land. Eighteen people lived in these homes. On January 3 the Israeli army issued demolition orders for these homes.

The Abu Sabha family’s animal barns

Members of the Abu Sabha family outside their home learn on January 3 that their legal appeals are exhausted.

On the morning of January 12 the Israeli Civil Administration arrived in the village with border police and bulldozers, and demolished 8 Palestinians structures including homes, two sheep barns, and a water well, leaving several families homeless and without shelter from the weather.

Israeli border police force families back from their homes on January 12.

Israeli forces confront a woman whose home is being demolished.

Demolition of the Abu Sabha family’s home

Demolition of the Abu Sabha family’s garden

Demolition of the Abu Sabha family’s animal barn

The Abu Sabha family’s well just prior to demolition by Israeli forces

What remains of the Abu Sabha family’s well after Israeli demolition