Strategic danger: Bedouin construction in the Negev spreads into the heart of IDF firing zones

An i24NEWS investigative report reveals that in the heart of IDF firing zones in the Kanaim Valley in the Judean Desert, approximately 14 clusters of illegal construction are thriving, including hundreds of structures, with a 30% increase in construction in recent years. Residents refuse to evacuate despite court orders, citing a shortage of available land.

An i24NEWS investigative report uncovers a concerning phenomenon in the heart of IDF firing zones in the Judean Desert: in the Kanaim Valley, east of Arad, approximately 14 clusters of illegal construction are thriving, including hundreds of structures. In recent years, there has been a sharp jump of about 30% in construction, and some residents have even sprayed their names on the army's warning barriers. A tour of the area revealed solar infrastructure, pirated water connections, and even mosques in the area designated for military training. Despite a landmark ruling by the district court ordering the evacuation and relocation of the structures to the regulated settlement of "Mara'it," the residents refuse to evacuate. Musa al-Hamisa, a local clan leader, explains that they have no choice due to high land prices in the city. The Bedouin Settlement Authority has prepared in Mara'it the "Butterfly Neighborhood," which includes agricultural plots, schools, and modern infrastructure, but the evacuation is far from being implemented.