Ethnic cleansing of Deir al-Duyuk al-Tahta near Jericho

On the begining of February 2026, Israeli settler attacks have forced 15 Palestinian families to flee the As-Satih area in the village of Deir Al-Duyuk, west of Jericho in the occupied West Bank.

Settlers began plowing and leveling land surrounding the families’ homes, preventing them from accessing or using it. The displaced families belong to the Al-Ara’ra clan, one of the latest Bedouin communities forced to leave due to settler violence. The Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights said the operations caused extensive damage to agricultural land.

On Wednesday February 11, 2026, around 50 settlers, accompanied by a bulldozer and an Israeli military vehicle, stormed al-Duyuk al-Tahta village west of Jericho in what local sources described as a coordinated attack. They demolished and vandalized homes—some built of tin sheets, others of concrete—expelled residents, prevented their return, and reportedly seized personal belongings, livestock, and vehicles.

Israeli settlers demolished at least 15 Palestinian homes and about 20 structures in the village. The demolitions took place on Tuesday, February 11, continuing from morning until dark, using bulldozers. The village is in Area C, about 500 meters from Area A under full Palestinian control.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Civil Administration stated they were not responsible for the demolitions, though eyewitnesses reported settlers arrived alongside soldiers in uniform.

Eyewitness Accounts:

A resident described the events to Haaretz:

“30 settlers arrived in the morning at my uncle's house… They were accompanied by several soldiers in uniform and carrying weapons.” “They threatened my uncle and his family, beat the men and demanded everyone leave the house. Then they moved to my father's house and subsequently to the rest of the homes. They drove us all away with threats and destroyed the homes with two or three bulldozers. Most of my family, about 60 people, were left homeless.” “Three of my family members were wounded. One of them even fainted, and he had to be treated at a hospital… We called both the Palestinian and Israeli police. The Palestinian police couldn't do anything. No one helped my family. We've been living here for 14 years.”

Official IDF Statements

“Following the report, a force arrived at the scene. No suspects were identified in the area, but some 20 homes and Palestinian property were found destroyed… The IDF strongly condemns violence and will continue to act to maintain the security of residents and public order in the area.”

Far-right Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu publicly justified the demolitions:

“We will destroy any [home] built on Jewish people's heritage. We will return here, pave roads and make the place flourish.” “We do not apologize for holding onto our land… we are reclaiming our heritage sites and deepening our historical hold on the land of our forefathers for the sake of our children's future.”

Alon Arad of Emek Shaveh, an anti-occupation archaeological group, stated:

“According to international law, the only excavations Israel can carry out in the West Bank are those intended to enable Palestinian development. It's forbidden to excavate for the purpose of developing settlements or for any other purpose.”

Broader context:

The incident comes amid a sharp escalation in settler violence across the West Bank since October 2023, including killings, arrests, forced displacement, land confiscation, and settlement expansion. On February 8, Israel’s security cabinet approved measures that Palestinians say alter the legal and civil status of the West Bank to deepen Israeli control, warning they could pave the way for formal annexation and further undermine prospects for a Palestinian state under UN resolutions.