West Bank, ALRAY - The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Palestinian Territories has reported that Israeli occupation authorities have caused the displacement of 13 Palestinian families, comprising 84 individuals, including 44 children, from the town of Masafer Yatta in southern Hebron, located in the southern part of the West Bank, since the beginning of July 2023.

In its report released on Wednesday, OCHA pointed out that the increasing restrictions imposed by Israeli forces on the movement of families in Masafer Yatta are the primary reason behind their displacement.

OCHA further explained that over the years, and increasingly since May 2022, Israeli authorities have imposed restrictions on movement, confiscated properties, demolished homes, and conducted military exercises in Masafer Yatta. These collective practices have created a coercive environment that forced residents to migrate.

The UN agency highlighted that the severity of travel restrictions has escalated over the past three months, with Israeli forces imposing even more limitations on the movement of residents and seizing vehicles used by the population.

OCHA also clarified that Israeli authorities hinder the efforts of humanitarian organizations and donors that provide assistance to the population in Masafer Yatta by issuing demolition orders, halting work, seizing vehicles and equipment, and imposing physical restrictions on access to the area and the entry of humanitarian workers.

Masafer Yatta comprises 13 residential clusters and, until recently, housed 215 families totaling 1,150 individuals. These communities are located within an area that represents 18% of the occupied West Bank, which Israeli authorities have designated as "firing zones" and allocated for military training exercises.