"At sunset, the guardians gather on a nearby hill to watch over the sleeping village, guarding against settler attacks. Al-Mufaqara, occupied West Bank In al-Mufaqara, a village in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, the night feels different. Instead of rest or sleep, it is marked by vigilance and worry for the village's men who guard their village against attacks by Israeli settlers from nearby illegal settlements and outposts."
"When the sun sets, their vigil begins as they gather on a high hill overlooking the village, where they sit surrounded by old tyres stacked to make a wall to protect them from the cold wind. In their system, everyone has a job: Some carry the torches, others prepare dinner, and one man brews sage tea, which is always bubbling away on the fire, giving them warmth and energy through the long, cold night."
"Al-Mufaqara is home to about 23 families comprising 220 people, including 50 children. Its inhabitants rely on herding, agriculture, and animal husbandry. But this simple way of life is met with daily attacks from settlers and Israeli authorities, who have demolished their homes repeatedly, destroyed their agricultural lands, burned their dwellings, and even resorted to murder. The latest victim here was a symbol of resistance, Awda al-Hathalin, who was shot by an Israeli settler."
Al-Mufaqara, a Masafer Yatta village south of Hebron, faces constant threat from nearby settlers and Israeli authorities. About 23 families totaling 220 people depend on herding, agriculture, and animal husbandry. Repeated demolitions, burned fields, injuries, and killings have disrupted daily life and driven villagers to create a protective system. Approximately 30 young men formed the Mountain Guardians Committee and take turns guarding the village from sunset to sunrise atop a nearby hill. They build tyre walls, carry torches, prepare food, and brew sage tea to endure cold nights while balancing camaraderie and persistent fear.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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