Rights group says Israel forcibly displaced 214 Bedouin families from Area C since start of 2026

A Palestinian human rights organisation has reported the forcible displacement of 214 Bedouin and agricultural families from Area C of the occupied West Bank since the beginning of 2026, amid escalating settler attacks and continued Israeli control over land and planning.

Area C, which remains under full Israeli civil and military authority, is considered one of the most politically and legally complex parts of the West Bank. Israel exercises complete control over land use, natural resources and construction permits, conditions Palestinians say have intensified pressure on local communities.

According to the Al-Baydar Centre for Human Rights, Bedouin and farming communities in the Jordan Valley have been among the most vulnerable, facing geographical isolation, limited legal protection and increasing attacks by settlers, often occurring in the presence of Israeli forces.

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The organisation documented incidents affecting eight Bedouin communities that ultimately led to the displacement of residents and the loss of livelihoods and infrastructure.

The community of Shalal al-Auja was the hardest hit, with 120 families displaced. Other affected areas included Tel al-Samadi (10 families), Wadi Abu al-Hayat (six families), al-Burj (15 families), al-Hamma (20 families), al-Mayta (20 families), Abu Hamam (12 families) and al-Khala’il (11 families).

The centre said the pattern of attacks and displacement suggests sustained pressure on Palestinian presence in Area C, warning that continued incidents threaten the long-term viability of Bedouin and agricultural communities across the Jordan Valley.

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