As the families of Khirbet Ibziq, north of Tubas, sat down to break fast at 8pm on 27th April their community was invaded by occupation forces. Four families, including 21 children, were forced to leave their homes to make way for the Israeli army to carry out military exercises on their land. They were forced to evacuate the area immediately, having to leave all their belongings and their sheep unattended in their pens.

The head of the local council said that the occupation forces are waging war against the people of the area and the natural environment. The military exercises present a very real danger to the people in the area, especially as they use real ammunition and shells are often left on the ground afterwards.

The families have ben told they cannot sleep in their homes for four days.

They are now sleeping in temporary tents provided with the support of Jordan Valley Solidarity, along with mattresses and blankets.

The families evacuated are:

  • Hayel Hussein Mahmoud Turkman, with his family of 10, including five sons and three daughters, the youngest of whom is Mohammed aged 3 years old
  • Mustafa Ali Nasrallah with his family of 5, including 3 children, the youngest girl, Haneen, is just 3 years old
  • Oqab Abdel Karim with his family of 4. He has a daughter and a one-year-old boy
  • Abdul Karim Horoob with his family of 10, including five boys  and three girls