Israeli forces demolish Palestinian village in West Bank

Israeli forces have demolished much of the Palestinian community of Khirbet al-Tabban in the Masafer Yatta region of the West Bank. The operation, which reportedly lasted several hours and occurred without warning, destroyed homes belonging to 12 families, animal shelters, and water infrastructure, including rainwater collection wells and tanks.

Local council head Nidal Younis stated that the demolitions resulted in the “erasure of this village from existence,” leaving nearly all of the community's approximately 70 residents homeless. Residents reported that belongings were crushed during the operation.

Masafer Yatta has been designated as a military training zone by Israel since the 1980s. While the Israeli High Court rejected Palestinian petitions to remain on the land in 2022, local leaders claim genuine military exercises in the area are rare and suggest the designation is used to pressure residents to leave. The United Nations has noted that violence and displacement in the West Bank have reached record levels since the conflict in Gaza began in October 2023.