Highlights: In Hebron, the most populous city in the West Bank, Palestinians say they live “in a cage” Since October 7, the number of military posts has almost doubled in this part of the city. The profile of the soldiers stationed here has changed. We now have many uniformed and armed settlers, some of whom are known for their violence and fanaticism. The same settlers who for years harassed, mistreated, in different ways, often with impunity, are now the people who have military uniforms and have army-issued weapons.

It is the most brutal laboratory of the Israeli occupation. And the only city “colonized from the inside”. In Hebron, the most populous city in the West Bank, cut in two, Palestinians say…

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West Bank: in Hebron, “who will protect me from Israeli soldiers and settlers?”

It is the most brutal laboratory of the Israeli occupation. And the only city “colonized from the inside”. In Hebron, the most populous city in the West Bank, cut in two, Palestinians say they live “in a cage”. If this reality has lasted for years, it has increased since October 7, 2023. Report from our correspondent in the Palestinian Territories.

Listen - 01:35

Israeli security forces surround a suspicious car at the entrance to the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, on December 30. AFP - HAZEM BADER

By: RFI Follow

With our special correspondent in Hebron,

Alice Froussard

From her house, Issa Amro has a breathtaking view of Hebron. And on the olive trees. But all around the terrace of this Palestinian, human rights defender, a fence...

Look how I barricaded myself here. I put myself in a cage. To protect myself with this barrier. Protect myself from settler attacks.

Attacks by settlers, but also by Israeli soldiers. Since October 7, the number of military posts has almost doubled in this part of the city. They settled on the roofs of houses, “

on those of my neighbors

,” explains Issa.

The profile of the soldiers stationed here has changed. We now have many uniformed and armed settlers, some of whom are known for their violence and fanaticism. None of my relatives can come see me here. The only visit I receive is from international journalists for four months. We feel dehumanized, isolated from our community and our families, far from schools and universities...

00:39

Issa Amro, arrested and tortured by the Israeli army

Alice Froussard

And soldiers are present on every street corner, “

even more aggressive than before

,” he continues: “

I don’t feel safe when I walk. I feel like I could get shot with every step I take. It's at this level.

The soldiers could shoot me, without explanation. They killed many innocent Palestinians for no reason. And no one cared about these Palestinians. Who will protect me from Israeli soldiers and armed settlers? Person.

At his side, Joey Carmel, an Israeli activist from the organization Breaking The Silence. He was a soldier. Now he documents abuses committed by his country's military.

In the city of Hebron, he says, many settlers are now soldiers themselves: "

The same settlers who for years harassed, mistreated, in different ways, often with impunity, are now the people who have military uniforms and have army-issued weapons. They continue their harassment, but this time, with much more authority.

And, he concludes, this military over-presence has a goal: to make the Palestinians understand who has control of the city.

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West Bank: in Hebron, “who will protect me from Israeli soldiers and settlers?”

West Bank: in Hebron, “who will protect me from Israeli soldiers and settlers?”

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