Israel's Demolitions in Masafer Yatta: A Systematic Assault on Education

When Home Meets School: The Daily Battle in Masafer Yatta

On a typical Tuesday morning in early September, 12-year-old Sundus al-Hamamdeh made her way to school in the village of Khirbet al-Fakhit, part of the remote region of Masafer Yatta. It was the third day of the new school year in the occupied West Bank, a time when families across the region hoped for stability and safety.

But when she returned from class that day, her home was gone. Israeli forces had carried out a large-scale demolition in Khirbet al-Fakhit, obliterating homes, livestock shelters, water infrastructure, and even solar installations. For Sundus, her house wasn't just a structure — it was a sanctuary, a place of safety after school.

This isn't an isolated incident. Masafer Yatta, located in Area C of the West Bank where Israel maintains full control over planning and construction, has become a focal point for Israeli demolition operations. These actions, often justified under the pretext of illegal construction, are part of a broader strategy that targets not only homes but also schools — essential pillars of Palestinian education and community life.

"The school is not just a place for education. This school is the students' only outlet," said Hanaa al-Salameen, headteacher at Zif Secondary School for Girls.

Demolitions as Policy: A Calculated Approach

The Israeli military and government have long used demolition orders as a tool of control in the occupied territories. The process typically begins with a notice — often citing a lack of permits, which are nearly impossible for Palestinians to obtain. What follows is an organized effort to dismantle homes, businesses, and schools, effectively forcing out entire communities.

What makes Masafer Yatta particularly vulnerable is its geographic isolation and the military designation of large parts of the area as firing zones. This has rendered many areas inaccessible to residents, especially during times of heightened Israeli military activity. The result? A population under constant threat, where children are taught to live with the daily uncertainty of losing their homes and schools.

As Bassam Jabr, director-general of education in Masafer Yatta, put it: "Education officials have appealed to Israeli courts, and called on the United Nations and foreign governments to intervene. But the schools remain under threat."

The School as a Target

In August, Israeli forces surrounded the Shaab al-Butum primary school — a key educational institution in Masafer Yatta that serves students from kindergarten through 11th grade. The school's location in an area with limited alternative schooling options makes its demolition even more devastating for families.

According to the UN, two rooms used by teachers and administrators were demolished, citing the lack of an Israeli-issued building permit. While the main structure remains intact for now, it is still under threat. The school's administration has been working with legal advocates and international organizations in a bid to prevent further destruction — but with limited success.

The destruction doesn't stop at buildings. Schools in communities like Zif, Umm Qussa, Jinba, and Shaab al-Butum have also faced demolition orders. Teachers and students navigate road closures, checkpoints, and frequent settler harassment just to reach their classrooms. The psychological toll is immense — children who are already under immense stress from displacement now face the added trauma of watching their schools destroyed.

Children's Voices: Defiance in the Face of Destruction

Despite these overwhelming challenges, students and teachers remain resilient. In a powerful testament to their determination, many children have vowed to continue learning — even if it means studying under trees or memorizing books by heart.

Rabiha Yousef Jibril, a 10th-grade student at Zif Secondary School, said: "Even if they demolish the school, we will continue to study, even under the trees. Even if they confiscate the books, we will keep them in our hearts, as well as our minds."

These sentiments reflect a larger truth about the Palestinian experience — that education, despite all odds, remains a lifeline for children seeking hope and stability. For many in Masafer Yatta, the school is not just a building; it's a symbol of resistance and continuity.

"We face the demolition of schools every day, making the continuation of the educational process almost impossible," said Yasmeen Sallaq, a Palestinian lawyer.

Legal and Humanitarian Challenges

International law clearly states that education is a fundamental right. Yet in Masafer Yatta, this right is under constant siege. The United Nations has documented multiple demolitions of educational facilities, highlighting the pattern of deliberate targeting by Israeli authorities.

Legal efforts by local education officials have largely been unsuccessful, with courts in Israel rarely ruling in favor of Palestinian communities. This leaves families like those in Masafer Yatta with little recourse — a reality that underscores the broader structural inequities in the occupied territories.

The situation is especially dire for girls, who often face additional barriers to education due to both the physical and social challenges of accessing schools. At Zif Secondary School for Girls, where 250 students attend, the fear of demolition has already led to a number of girls transferring to other institutions — some far away, on unsafe roads.

The Bigger Picture: Education as Resistance

What's unfolding in Masafer Yatta is not just about infrastructure or property rights — it's about control over people's lives and futures. By destroying schools, Israel is attempting to dismantle the very foundation of Palestinian society — the next generation.

This approach has drawn attention from human rights organizations worldwide. The destruction of schools and homes in Masafer Yatta is emblematic of a larger pattern of policies aimed at eroding Palestinian presence in the West Bank. The United Nations, international NGOs, and human rights advocates are calling for urgent action to protect these communities.

Yet despite the outcry, Israeli authorities continue their demolition campaigns with little accountability. In many ways, the struggle in Masafer Yatta mirrors that of countless other communities — a fight for basic dignity, safety, and education in the face of relentless adversity.

A Call to Action

As students like Sundus al-Hamamdeh and Rabiha Yousef Jibril continue their education — sometimes under trees, sometimes in makeshift classrooms — we must ask ourselves: What is the international community doing to protect these children?

The world watches as Israeli forces systematically target Palestinian schools and homes. The stories of Masafer Yatta are not just local — they are part of a global narrative about the right to education, human rights, and justice. We must ensure that voices like those in Masafer Yatta are heard — not only in the newsrooms but also in the halls of power where decisions about life and death are made.