Mahmoud Salhab has lived in Khirbat Qilqis on his land in the West Bank, near Hebron, for 63 years, before the Six-Day War of 1967 and the subsequent military occupation of the area by Israel. Over the decades, his life and that of his family have become increasingly challenging, particularly since the construction of a nearby settlement in 1982. With the rise in tensions following the war on Gaza, their situation has worsened, making everyday life a constant struggle for survival and dignity.
The construction of the Hagai settlement marked the beginning of a long and painful chapter for Mahmoud Salhab and his family. Since its establishment, they have been subjected to continuous harassment and attacks. Their cars and house have been repeatedly vandalized, with windows smashed and graffiti sprayed by settlers. The settlers, often dressed in military uniforms, blur the lines between civilian harassment and military operations, making it difficult to discern the nature of the threat. This confusion has only heightened the fear and insecurity in the region.
The impact of these attacks has been severe. Five members of Mahmoud Salhab’s family have been hospitalized due to injuries sustained during settler assaults. In addition to physical violence, the family has also been subjected to arbitrary arrests under the pretext of “administrative detention.” This practice allows for the detention of individuals without charge or trial, often for days or weeks, during which they are frequently beaten and mistreated. These arrests serve as a tool of intimidation, a constant reminder of the power dynamics at play in the region.
The situation reached a critical point on October 25, following the outbreak of the Gaza War. The tension in the area was palpable, and it culminated in the arrest of Mahmoud Salhab’s daughter, Mariam. The soldiers took her away under the guise of “administrative detention,” but what followed was a harrowing ordeal that no human should endure. Over three days of intense interrogation, Mariam was subjected to both psychological and physical torture. Soldiers stood on her back for hours, causing her to lose consciousness multiple times. Despite her desperate pleas for medical attention, she was denied even the most basic care.
Mariam’s ordeal did not end with the interrogation. She was held in detention for one month and five days under appalling conditions. The cell she was placed in was filthy, with vomit from previous inmates left uncleaned. The bed linens were not changed, and the toilet had no door, depriving her of even a semblance of privacy. The food provided was not only insufficient but also of poor quality. While the neighboring cells received water to clean their spaces, Mariam and her cellmates were deliberately denied this basic necessity, a clear act of random and targeted harassment.
The cold winter only added to Mariam’s suffering. When she was arrested, she was taken in her pajamas, and despite her requests, she was not allowed to receive warmer clothing from home or through her lawyer. The cold, coupled with the humiliation of being forced to undergo physical checks while completely naked, were hell for her and her cellmates. She was allowed out of her cell for just one hour a day, with no indication of how long her detention would last. The day of her release was sudden and unceremonious; soldiers simply came and led her out without any explanation.
Despite the horrors she endured, Mariam’s conditions were still better than those faced by women from Gaza, who were treated even more harshly. Their cells were stripped of all basic amenities, leaving them without blankets or mattresses. The differential treatment between detainees from different regions further highlights the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of the detention system.
Just last week, August 23rd, settlers, again disguised in military uniforms, vandalized their cars and spray-painted “Revenge for October 7th” on their property. The family reported the incidents to the police, who documented everything but did little to stop the ongoing harassment. The lack of effective action by the authorities has eroded the family’s trust in any form of protection or justice. This mistrust is not unfounded; historically, the authorities have done little to nothing to address settler violence, allowing it to persist unchecked.
The violence extends beyond physical attacks and arrests. Last year, Mahmoud Salhab’s family was forbidden from harvesting their olive trees, a crucial source of income. Forced to pick the olives under the cover of night, they risked further attacks. This year they hope that they are allowed to harvest the olives on their land.
Mahmoud Salhab and Mariam’s story is one of many in the West Bank, where families face constant threats to their lives, property, and dignity. Despite the immense challenges, Mahmoud Salhab and his family remain resilient, clinging to their land and their way of life. However, the relentless pressure from settlers, compounded by the lack of protection from authorities, raises a troubling question: Will they ever live in peace? The answer is uncertain, but what is clear is the deep and enduring impact of occupation on the lives of ordinary people like Mahmoud Salhab and his family.
