Ethnic cleansing of the Khirbet Ein al-Hilweh

Ein al-Hilweh is a small shepherding community in the northern Jordan Valley, east of the occupied West Bank, located near Route 90, below the Israeli settlement of Maskiot, in the Wadi Malha area, close to Tubas. Around 5 families (≈60 people) living mainly from sheep and cattle herding in an isolated environment.

Area faces growing Israeli settlement expansion with illegal outposts, privatization of common grazing land, and declaration of “nature reserves” used to expropriate Palestinian land. Settlers erect fences and restrict Palestinian movement, often with backing from military forces.

Residents, especially shepherds, experience harassment, threats, property damage, livestock theft, and restricted access to water and grazing land.

According to ACRI (Association for Civil rights in Israel)

"The residential area of the Ein al-Hilweh shepherding community in the northern Jordan Valley consists of five extended families, about 70 residents, who make their living from herding sheep and cattle. A number of years ago, settlers came to the area with the stated goal of expelling the community and taking over its lands and resources. For years Palestinian residents of the area dealt with harassment from the settlers, but since the outbreak of the war there has been a major escalation of settler violence. In some cases, they even act with the overt backing of the military—or those appearing to be military—and law enforcement that turns a blind eye to the violence. The grazing areas are sites of frequent violence, and Palestinians who go to the area are subject to threats, harassment, property damage. They are also often blocked from grazing, which has led to the gradual restriction of their access to grazing areas. Additionally, residents of the outpost settlement constantly (day and night) show up where the Palestinians live to steal sheep and cattle; damage water tanks and solar panels; make noise; drive recklessly on ATVs; and intimidate and threaten the men, women, and children of the community—sometimes while armed. Over the past two months the situation has become unbearable, and the community faces displacement."

Timeline of the events:

On March 31, 2025: Human rights organization ACRI (Association for Civil Rights in Israel) issued an appeal to Israeli authorities, warning of escalating settler violence—including harassment, property damage, and threats to livelihoods—targeting the Ein al-Hilweh shepherding community. They demanded protection and dismantling of nearby violent outposts.

On April 14, 2025: Israeli settlers stormed Ein al-Hilweh after midnight, attempting to steal livestock. The theft was prevented by local residents and activists.

On May 23, 2025: Settlers erected barbed-wire fences on privately owned Palestinian land in Ein al-Hilweh, cutting off access to grazing lands despite residents holding land deeds (“Tabu”).

On May 30, 2025: Settlers expanded fencing operations, continuing a steady campaign of land appropriation. Local sources reported that the fencing was carried out near settler encampments, cutting off access to crucial grazing areas relied upon by Palestinian herding communities.

On June 30, 2025: The UN OCHA reported that six Palestinian households (28 people, including nine children) began dismantling their own homes and livestock structures in Ein al-Hilweh due to repeated settler attacks and intimidation including restricted access to water sources and grazing areas.

On July 3, 2025: Israeli occupation forces issued stop-work orders against all homes and livestock pens in the Ein al-Hilweh community of the northern Jordan Valley, giving residents until July 16 to comply under threat of demolition. The orders affect about 13 families, whose longstanding structures are now at risk, amid recent settler violence including tent raids, attempted livestock theft, and blocked access to grazing land.

On August 20, 2025: Settlers placed Israeli flags near the tents and homes of Ein al-Hilweh residents in a provocative display amid ongoing displacement threats.

On Augustus 21, at 7 a.m., soldiers and a representative of the Civil Administration arrived in Ein al-Hilweh, in the northern Jordan Valley, and used a bulldozer to demolish the entire compound — houses and a barn — belonging to the Kadri Darajma family, as well as the barn of the Fathi Darajma family, who have lived there for about 60 years. The soldiers refused to accept or even look at the demolition delay orders issued by the court, valid until 3 September 2025.

On Augustus 22, during the night, a reservist jeep driver claimed to an Israeli Activist he didn’t want to harass Palestinians but followed orders, reflecting emotional turmoil after long service in Gaza. Later, the same unit detained an elderly Palestinian man, blindfolded and zip-tied him, then abandoned him at night 21 km from his home.

Main sources reporting:

Middle East Eye, ACRI, B’Tselem, WAFA, Palestine Chronicle.