Israeli forces displace 11 Bedouin families in Ramallah amid ongoing settler violence

2026-02-23 - 09:02

Eleven Palestinian Bedouin families were forced to dismantle their makeshift homes in the El-Halayil community near Ramallah on February 21, 2026, relocating to another area amid ongoing Israeli army attacks and settler violence. The families, living in tin shelters and tents in Al-Mughayyir area, abandoned their settlement due to repeated demolitions and security threats. Forced Displacement Pattern The displacement represents the latest in a series of forced evictions targeting Bedouin communities across the West Bank. These communities, already living in vulnerable conditions, face systematic pressure from Israeli authorities and illegal settlers, including home demolitions, access restrictions, and physical attacks. According to UN figures, settler violence and access restrictions have displaced over 4,700 Palestinians since January 2023. Ramallah Context The El-Halayil community's displacement occurs amid intensified Israeli operations throughout the West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Palestinians view such actions—alongside arrests, killings, and settlement expansion—as systematic efforts to displace communities and consolidate control, undermining prospects for a viable Palestinian state.