URGENT APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIVE PRESENCE – UMM AL-KHAIR, SOUTH HEBRON HILLS

For nearly two weeks, the Palestinian community of Umm al-Khair in the South Hebron Hills has been subjected to repeated attacks and escalating restrictions that are creating an unbearable humanitarian situation.

According to residents and activists present on the ground, settlers, including Avetar, together with Carmel settlement security coordinator Nevo Nadelsky and other settlers, have repeatedly entered the area surrounding family homes. Residents report being prevented from accessing their bathrooms, their sheep pens, and other parts of their property. Families have been unable to care for their livestock, threatening their only source of livelihood.

Two days ago, the Israeli military declared the area a Closed Military Zone for approximately 42 hours. During this period, Palestinian residents state they were confined to their homes and yards, unable to feed or water their sheep or move freely within their own property. At the same time, settlers reportedly continued to move through the area without restriction and acts of vandalism against Palestinian property were reported.

These measures have deprived families of their most basic human needs, including freedom of movement within their own homes, access to sanitation, and the ability to care for their animals.

We urgently call upon the United Nations, diplomatic missions, humanitarian organizations, and the international community to:

• Deploy an immediate international protective presence to Umm al-Khair.

• Send independent observers to document ongoing events.

• Demand unrestricted humanitarian access for residents.

• Ensure that families can safely access their homes, bathrooms, livestock, and agricultural property.

• Monitor the conduct of all parties and help prevent further violence and escalation.

The situation requires immediate international attention. The absence of effective protection is leaving civilians exposed to repeated attacks and severe restrictions on their daily lives.

Every hour without protection increases the risk of further violence and humanitarian harm.

We urge the international community to act now.