Children near the Tuwani well

Welcome to At-Tuwani Online!

This site is dedicated to disseminating information about At-Tuwani and other villages located in the South Hebron Hills region of the West Bank in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).

In the South Hebron Hills, there remain today some one thousand Palestinians which reside in caves. While residents spend some of the year living in the city of Yatta (population est. 43,000), they are not Bedouin. The people live off the land and graze livestock, primarily goat and sheep.

• See Map, courtesy of B’Tselem

The Israeli Civil Administration, military forces, and settlers’ maneuvers to confiscate land and expand settlements continually threaten Palestinian survival, this process bolstered by U.S. military aid to Israel.

• U.S. Military Assistance and Arms Transfers to Israel: U.S. Aid, Companies Fuel Israeli Military: A World Policy Institute Brief By Frida Berrigan and Dr. William D. Hartung, July 20, 2006

Due to heightened attacks on the indigenous population, local leaders have felt it necessary to invite members of the Israeli and international human rights community to maintain a sustained presence in the region for the explicit purpose of monitoring and reducing violence.

• See Short Video, courtesty of B’Tselem

The struggle of At-Tuwani and the South Hebron Hills to preserve an ancient way of life, culture and history deserve increased attention. This website is one attempt.

Questions and comments welcome: visit.tuwani@gmail.com