Last update - 04:02 27/02/2005
Cave dwellers evicted by settlers return to their homes
By Nir
Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
Two-and-a-half years after they were evicted by settlers, the Palestinian cave dwellers of the village of Gawish in the south-Hebron hills on Saturday returned to their homes.
The village, near the West Bank settlement of Susiya, is comprised of several caves and includes some sties and sheds. Four extended families lived in the village along with several dozen families who resided there seasonably, working in agriculture and pasture.
After the residents were evicted, settlers moved into the village and caused damages to structures and caves. They prevented the Palestinian residents from returning to the village and cultivating their lands.
Several months ago, following public outcry and a threat to petition the High Court of Justice, the Israel Defense Forces evicted the settlers and declared the area a closed military zone. The IDF sealed off the caves and forbade the Palestinian residents to return.
Attorney Shlomo Lecker, who represented the residents, along with several anti-occupation activists from the Ta'ayush movement petitioned the court several months ago, demanding that the original residents be allowed to return. The court has yet to hear the case, but the state prosecution's position indicates that the original residents cannot be prevented from returning to their homes.
After the state published its stance, several dozen of the villages residents came to the village Saturday, along with Ta'ayush activists, Rabbis for Human Rights activists, and residents of nearby villages. The residents have begun works to unseal the caves and to repair the damages. They plan to stay in the village overnight, but said they fear settlers might badger them.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, settlers from the south-Hebron hills area plowed and destroyed a 35-dunam plot of land where the Palestinian owners were cultivating wheat. The incident took place near the outpost of Avigail.