Israeli demolitions target homes and schools in Masafer Yatta

Students in the West Bank village of Masafer Yatta announced they will continue their studies despite a wave of demolition orders that have targeted residential buildings, a local school, and other community structures. The Israeli military administration issued the orders earlier this month, citing the area’s designation as a “military zone” and alleging that the structures were built without permits. Human rights groups, however, have warned that the demolitions threaten the right to education for dozens of children who rely on the village’s only school, which faces the risk of being razed alongside nearby homes.

The community’s response has been to organize daily learning sessions in temporary locations, with teachers and parents coordinating makeshift classrooms in tents and public spaces. International observers have called for an independent review of the demolition orders, emphasizing that the removal of educational facilities contravenes obligations under international humanitarian law. As demolition crews begin work, the students’ pledge underscores a broader resistance to disruptions in education and highlights the ongoing tension between security policies and civilian rights in the occupied territories.