Saturday night I spent with the family whose oldest son, Harun, was shot in the neck by Israeli soldiers in 2012 while they confiscated the communal generator. His family, like many in Masafer Yatta, live in a cave inside the “firing zone,” which means they are forbidden to do any home renovations or access any infrastructural network like water and electricity.
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After Harun was shot, the IOF refused to call an ambulance, and when a neighbor came with a car to take him, the IOF shot the tires. When they were finally able to get him to a hospital, doctors discovered he was paralyzed from the neck down. Eventually, blockages of arteries in his right leg led to amputation and lung infections, and severe pressure ulcers resulted in months in and out of the hospital. A few years later, at 26 years old, Harun succumbed to complications.
Farissa, his mother (who everybody calls Um Harun or “mother of Harun”) gave me a big hug when she saw me. Rasmi, the father, had foot surgery the day prior, so couldn’t get up from his sleeping mat on the floor. Their two daughters were there, including the one who just got married. Even though her husband lives in Yatta, Um Harun is making her finish high school before joining him. Um Harun herself cannot read, so it’s understandable why she prioritizes her daughters’ education.
The next morning we met two women and their 12 children who live in a nearby cave. Their husband was imprisoned three months ago, so they are especially vulnerable to violence; every day for the last week there have been settler attacks in the area. The Ma’on settlement is just over the hill and a new outpost has been erected less than a hundred meters away.
Last night I stayed with another family I love, who I spent a lot of time with last spring. The parents are one of the most in-love couples I have ever met, and they have seven amazing children. I almost cried when they greeted me. It was a fun night of catching up and reminiscing. The night passed without any military or settler interactions and I woke to a breakfast of bread, olive oil, za’atar, and avocado. And, of course, lots of sweet black tea with sage.
