On Tuesday, Israeli settlers placed caravans (mobile homes) in the Jabal Al-Rahma area, adjacent to the Tel Rumeida neighborhood in the heart of Hebron city, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces.
Eyewitnesses reported that the settlers installed the caravans on privately-owned Palestinian land near the Yasser Amro School and Al-Rayan Mosque—marking the first such move in this area.
This action raises serious concerns that it could form the basis of a new settlement outpost, signaling expansion of settlement activity in the heart of Palestinian neighborhoods, increased presence of occupation forces in the area, and a rise in settler violence against local residents and their property.
This development is seen as a dangerous escalation in Hebron, a city that has long suffered from severe apartheid policies and heavy settler presence, especially in areas near the Old City.
Badee Dwaik, a human rights activist with the Human Rights Defenders Group and a resident of Jabal Al-Rahma, stated:
“What happened today marks a dangerous shift in Hebron. This settlement outpost threatens the lives of residents and opens the door to more violence and restrictions. We call on the international community to act urgently to stop this blatant violation of land and rights.”