Key facts
- Israeli forces demolished 24 residential and 16 agricultural structures in Janba, southern West Bank, on Wednesday.
- Approximately 176 Palestinians, including 85 children, were displaced by the demolitions.
- The structures destroyed included homes, solar panels, and water tanks.
- Residents stated their intention to rebuild and remain in the area despite the destruction.
- The demolitions are part of an intensified campaign in Masafer Yatta, with previous demolitions in Khirbet al-Taban and Khirbet al-Fakhit.
- B'Tselem described the actions as part of an 'Elimination Project' and 'ethnic cleansing'.
Israeli forces conducted a large-scale demolition of Palestinian homes and structures in the village of Janba, located in Masafer Yatta in the southern occupied West Bank, on Wednesday. The operation resulted in the displacement of approximately 176 people, including 85 children, who lost their homes, agricultural buildings, solar panels, and water tanks.
Residents expressed their determination to rebuild and remain on their land despite the destruction. Najah Jabarin described losing three rooms of her home, including the kitchen, sheep shed, and bread oven, while Nu’man Jabarin, a lifelong resident, stated that everything he owned was wiped out, including caves used for storage and shelter.
These demolitions follow a pattern of escalating destruction in Masafer Yatta. In early September, nearly all homes in Khirbet al-Taban were demolished, displacing around 70 people, and shortly after, all five homes in Khirbet al-Fakhit were destroyed, displacing 32 people.
Masafer Yatta has been designated a "firing zone" by Israel since the 1980s, leading to longstanding demolition orders for Palestinian communities. However, forced displacement has significantly increased since October 2023. Activists and human rights groups, including Nasr Nawajaa and B’Tselem, have characterized these actions as "ethnic cleansing" and an "Elimination Project" aimed at territorial takeover and dismantling Palestinian presence in the area.
Data from the Commission Against the Wall and Settlements indicates 492 demolition operations across the West Bank between January and August 2026, affecting 1,060 structures. According to UN data, over 1,600 Palestinians had been displaced by demolitions in the West Bank as of September 23.