Palestinians of Kherbert Shushehla Return to Find Their Homes Destroyed by Israeli Settlers

• Date: 2023-11-02

Palestinians of Kherbert Shushehla Return to Find Their Homes Destroyed by Israeli Settlers

2/11/2023

On October 7th, 2023, Palestinians in Kherbert Shushehla fled their homes to safeguard their lives and their families.  However, upon their return on October 31st, 2023, they discovered a vicious attack had taken place. Israeli settlers had demolished 10 Palestinian structures, including homes, and farming houses, impacting 50 Palestinians. Additionally, 100 olive trees were uprooted, and the roads leading to their homes and land were blocked. When the community contacted the Israeli civil administration, they were met with ignorance as the authorities claimed to have no knowledge of the incident.

Kherbet Shushehla is located south of Al Khader city in the Bethlehem district and is home to numerous residential houses, old wells, a mill, a cemetery dating back to the Roman era, and an Islamic Mosque built in 1878. Historically, Palestinians inhabited Kherbet Shushehla until their forced displacement in 1984 by the Israeli occupation forces. During this period, they were expelled from their land, and their homes were set ablaze. In 1994, Palestinian families managed to return to their land and homes, living under the constant threat of forcible transfer.

Since 2022, nearly 2,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to settler violence, with 43% of these displacements occurring since October 7th, 2023. According to OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), 15 herding communities across the West Bank have witnessed increased movement restrictions and settler violence, resulting in the displacement of at least 98 households, comprising 828 people, including 313 children, since October 7th.

• We call upon Third States to uphold their obligation to ensure respect of the Fourth Geneva Conventions (as per Common Article 1 Geneva Conventions) and pressure Israel to halt its violations of international law.
• Undertake necessary measures that guarantee Israel's genuine law enforcement, investigation into incidents of colonial settler violence and accountability of direct perpetrators and other persons responsible for acts of violence against Palestinians.