The residents of the Khalayel Bedouin encampment south of the village of al-Mughayyir, east of Ramallah, were displaced two years ago from the nearby Ein Samiya area in Kafr Malik village following pressure and repeated attacks by Israeli forces and illegal settlers, who later pursued them to their current location.

Illegal settler attacks have intensified after Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023 and have continued nearly daily with the aim of forcing residents to leave. They coordonate with Israeli forces an ongoing campaign of intimidation against Abu Hamam family. They are allowed to graze sheep on Palestinian land, destroy olive trees, steal water, aided by the army. Same settler repeatedly damages neighbors’ fences to allow livestock destruction.

On February 1, 2026, the Israeli State admits that the purpose of the military order is “expelling Bedouin people who illegally occupy the area”, revealing a demographic objective in Area B (under Palestinian Authority civilian control).

Timeline of the events:

On May 3, 2025:

Armed Israeli settlers obstructed three Palestinian journalists and an activist while they were documenting ongoing Israeli attacks in the area. The local activist Rabee Abu Naeem was intercepted along with journalists Mohammad Turkman, Karim Khmayseh, and Ahmad Al-Khati by settlers who got out of an ATV while they were filming settlers dismantling tents nearby. The setlers tried to forcibly take the car keys and prevent them from leaving the area. They also attempted to seize the phone used for filming and issued death threats, warning them not to return.

According to MANA Center, the two Israeli settlers "detained a group of journalists in the town of Al-Mughayyir, obstructing their work and threatening to kill or slaughter them if they returned.Freelance journalist MOHAMMAD TURKMAN reported to the MADA Center that he, along with journalist AHMAD AL-KHATIB, KAREEM KHAMAISAH (reporter for Al-Irsal Network), and a local citizen, were in Al-Mughayyir near Ramallah at approximately 4:00PM Saturday to prepare a report on the repeated Israeli incursions into the town. After finishing their report, they learned of the demolition of two tents on the town’s outskirts by Israeli forces and headed to cover the event. They were surprised by a young settler, no older than 15, herding sheep, who immediately called the settlement’s security guard. As the journalists attempted to leave, two settlers arrived—one armed with an automatic rifle. The journalists, who were in a civilian vehicle (not marked as press), were stopped. The settlers questioned their identities and activities. Despite presenting local and international press credentials, the settlers screamed, threatened to summon the police, and held the journalists for about 15 minutes. During the detention, the settlers threatened to shoot and slaughter them, yelling: “Whoever comes here, we will slaughter him” while hurling curses. They were released with a clear threat of death if they returned."

On May 9, 2025: Israeli settlers, accompanied by the soldiers, storm the residents' tents in the Al-Khalaya area of Al-Mughayyir village.

On May 15, 2025, On Thursday, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli soldiers shot a 15-year-old Palestinian boy and abducted a woman. The violence began when settlers, accompanied by Israeli forces, targeted the home of Rezeq Abu Naim. As residents attempted to defend the property, the boy was shot in the abdomen, and Fatima Abu Naim, a local resident, was taken by the military. The attackers also physically assaulted another Palestinian woman. Following the incident, larger groups of settlers gathered on a nearby hill, raising concerns about a wider assault

On December 7, 2025, Eight masked Israeli settlers attacked the Abu Hamam (Abu Naim) family home in al-Khalayel, al-Mughayyir, East Ramallah. They injured Riziq Abu Naim (13), Fadda Abu Naim (59), and four international activists (UK, France, Colombia-US). The settlers demanded the family leave within two days or face their homes being burned and their lives threatened. Israeli soldiers present, blocked ambulances and medics, and allowed settlers to attack freely.

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On December 8, 2025, Israeli forces and settlers continued attacks on Palestinian farmers and shepherds in al-Khalayel, stealing barns and tents.

On December 10–11, 2025, a French peace activist was deliberately run over by a teenage settler. Settlers pointed rifles loaded with live ammunition at activists. Israeli forces declared the area a closed military zone, kidnapped two foreign activists (American and Australian), and ordered all solidarity activists to evacuate within one hour under threat of arrest.

On December 12, 2025, Israeli forces arrest US activists Irene Cho and Trudi Frost at the Abu Hamam property in al‑Khalayel. A month-long military area order had been served covering land around the property.

On December 18, 2025, Israel deports US activists Irene Cho and Trudi Frost after one week in jail challenging their arrests. Several military raids continue as forces search for solidarity activists.

On December 21, 2025, Israeli forces threaten to demolish Abu Hamam family house if internationals continue staying there. International activists are chased by armed settlers nearby to intimidate them.

On December 30, 2025, Israeli forces surround, detain, and handcuff three international activists in al‑Khalayel at Abu Hamam home. They are held for hours at a military base before transfer to a police station. These arrests occur amidst ongoing settler harassment (grazing livestock on Palestinian land, stealing water, destroying olive groves).Israeli forces surround, handcuff, and detain three international activists. These events follow the earlier settler attacks (Dec 7) on the Abu Naim family.

On January 16, 2026, Israeli forces raid Abu Hamam family home in al‑Khalayel, they arrest three US activists and one Irish activist after a settler trespasses on family land. During the raid, 14-year-old Muhammad Saad Sami Naasan is shot and killed in front of al‑Mughayyir mosque, right after prayer. Two of the activists are later released with a West Bank ban; the US and Irish citizen face deportation hearings at Ben Gurion. Israeli forces confiscated the Security cameras. Residents and internationals forbidden from eating during the three-hour raid. Activists were charged under false accusations: assault of a minor, public disorder, attempted injury to an animal, and use of poison. In the same days of operation, settlers opened fire near the property, a Palestinian young man with special needs assaulted by Israeli forces, the Al-Badr Tiles Company were attacked, and cameras confiscated.

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On January 18, 2026, Israel deports Irish and US activists after arresting four internationals at the Abu Hamam residence during a settler incursion.

On February 1, 2026, Israeli military issues a one-day closed military zone order in al‑Khalayel without allowing residents to remain on their land, the Israeli army ordered residents of a Bedouin community in the central West Bank to evacuate. The encampment’s 11 families reject the order, fearing illegal settlers would move in. They also detained three foreign activists. Two French citizens, Momo and Camille, are arrested at the Abu Najeh home. During the deportation hearing, the Israeli State admits that the purpose of the military order is “expelling Bedouin people who illegally occupy the area”, revealing a demographic objective in Area B (under Palestinian Authority civilian control).

On February 5, 2026, the French citizens appeal the deportation order. The Abu Najeh family refuses to leave their home despite ongoing intimidation.

On February 20-21, 2026, facing continuing assaults by Israeli forces and settlers, 11 Palestinian families (≈ 55 people) begin dismantling their homes and relocate due to persistent attacks and restrictions.

Broader context:

List of settlements and outposts near Al-Mugghayyir:

1998: Adei Ad -> Early outpost linked to settler pressure near Rast Ramallah region 2015:Malachi HaShalom -> Core outpost affecting al‑Mughayyir and Duma 2020: Rashash Farm -> Expansion of Malachi HaShalom presence 2023: Rosh HaTe’ina -> Continued expansion of farm outposts 2023: (July) Tent outpost near al‑Qaboun -> Informal site east of al‑Mughayyir Feb 2025: Jebe’it Pastoral Outpost -> New site on al‑Mughayyir land May 25, 2025: al‑Qala’ Outpost -> Pastoral outpost established May–June 2025: Tent outpost near village -> Another informal site near al‑Mughayyir