Palestinians lose hope as Israel pushes for new settlements

In late May 2025, Israeli bulldozers demolished the village of Khalet al-Daba'a in the occupied West Bank, leaving its residents in despair. This destruction came shortly after Israel announced the approval of 22 new settlements, highlighting the government's aggressive pro-settlement policies under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration. Far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized that the area would not be abandoned until it is fully integrated into Israel. The local inhabitants, such as Jaber Dabbaseh, have faced repeated demolitions, with Dabbaseh declaring this to be the eighth time his home has been destroyed in recent years. Residents are now living in tents and caves amid growing anxieties and violence from settlers who roam the remnants of their homes, vandalizing what little remains. Activists have raised alarms, calling for increased attention and support from the international community as they assert that a grim future awaits if external assistance does not materialize. Recent accounts describe a dire situation where local children's access to education is jeopardized, clinics are nonexistent, and fear permeates their daily lives. Despite protests, individuals standing up against these actions are met with hostility and detainments by the Israeli military, which defends these measures by claiming the structures were built illegally. On one occasion, approximately 20 journalists attempting to cover events in the area were barred from entering the village by masked Israeli soldiers. The urgent appeals by activists underscore the dire need for international presence and intervention to prevent further devastation in Masafer Yatta.