Settlers Occupied a Palestinian House in Tel Rumeida, Hebron

Settlers Occupied a Palestinian House in Hebron

Settlers entered a Palestinian family's home in Tel Rumeida in Hebron in the early evening, claiming that they had purchased it. (@hagitofran [screenshot])

Written & Reposted by Peace Now, March 24, 2025

Settlers entered the home of a Palestinian family in Tel Rumeida in Hebron late afternoon today (23/3/25) and established a new settlement there. According to reports, the family members went out for an Iftar meal, but when they returned, they discovered that settlers had entered their home and the army prevented them from approaching the house. The police refused to take a complaint from them and referred them to the Coordination and Liaison Headquarters. The settlers claim that they purchased the house, but as mentioned, the Palestinian family denies this and called the police (who refused to come).

In similar cases in the past, the Palestinian owners were forced to go to court to force the government to evict the settlers until the ownership issue was clarified. In some cases, it turned out to be a forgery. Less than a year ago, settlers entered another house in Hebron and established a settlement there, shortly after Minister Smotrich appointed a “civilian deputy” who was given most of the powers related to the settlements, including the authority to issue purchase permits to settlers who wish to buy properties in the Occupied Territories. Under these conditions, it is difficult to believe that the Civil Administration officials will prevent the settlement as has happened in other cases in the past.

Peace Now: It is time to stop the absurdity that a handful of messianic settlers determine the foreign and security policy of an entire country. Settlers claim that they purchased the house and the entire system is already aligning itself with them, the army allows them to enter and prevents the Palestinian family from returning to their home, and then will be forced to secure the settlers in a new area in Hebron. The government is responsible and can and must evacuate the settlers immediately.

מתנחלים נכנסו לפנות ערב לבית משפחה פלסטינית בתל רומיידה בחברון, בטענה שרכשו אותו.
לפי דיווחים, המשפחה הפלסטינית שמתגוררת בבית יצאה לארוחת איפטר וכשחזרה, מצאה שמתנחלים נכנסו לבית. חיילים מונעים ממנה להיכנס. המשטרה סירבה לקבל מאנשי הבית תלונה והפנתה אותם למת”ק. pic.twitter.com/RcRQIiPS8m

— Hagit Ofran חגית עופרן (@hagitofran) March 23, 2025

Location of the new settlement:

The house that the settlers entered is at the top of the hill in Tel Rumeida, without continuity between it and the settlement houses in Tel Rumeida. The house is located near archaeological excavations that took place by the Archaeology Division several years ago. As is known, in order to protect the settlers who live in the heart of a Palestinian city, the IDF imposed many movement restrictions on the Palestinian residents. In parts of the city, Palestinian cars are not allowed to enter, and they are not even allowed to walk on certain streets. In recent years, the IDF has placed permanent checkpoints on all roads connecting the settlement area with other parts of the city. The new settlement is located outside the checkpoint, and the fear is that following the establishment of the settlement, movement restrictions will be imposed on Palestinians on nearby streets as well.