Al-Tuwani on Lockdown for Tisha B'Av

IDF and Settler Lockdown, Kinot Reading, and Rising Tensions Under Threat of Iranian Bombardment

IDF soldiers perched atop a neighboring house under lockdown which overlooks the location settlers engage in morning prayer. (©Brendan F. Rains)

In the early hours of August 13th, the village of Al-Tuwani prepares for a settler invasion that will be facilitated by the IDF. The invasion — which was announced in advance on settlers’ telegram channels, X feeds, and circulated to journalists through informational group chats — was an open invitation on the morning of Tisha B’Av to enter a Palestinian-owned property the settlers believe to be the site of a synagogue from the Second Temple Period.

American photojournalist, David Lombeida rests on the roof of Basel’s home in the hours before the impending IDF sweep of Al-Tuwani. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Inside the home of Basel Adra, a Palestinian activist and director of No Other Land, activists and journalists gather awaiting the early morning prayer. Tensions are high. Due to events which unfolded in previous years, many in the village anticipate raids, property theft, beatings, and arrests which are expected to occur during an IDF sweep of the village to secure the area in advance of the morning prayer. While simultaneously preparing for the raid, many cling to their phones awaiting updates on the impending Iranian missile bombardment. The attack is expected at 2:00 a.m. on August 13th by US and Israeli intelligence and was announced on the official telegram channel of the State of Iran. Some drink coffee, smoke, snack, or engage in any other vice that doesn’t inebriate or dull the senses.

Pita passed, hookah inhaled, and off in the corner of the room, a card game takes place between bursts of conversation. One of the more relaxed of the activists offers reassurance that the last time Iran struck Israel, there was only one casualty in the West Bank.

In order to avoid interference from the military, journalists and activists spread out across the village, taking to rooftops and balconies with differing views of the proposed prayer site.

IDF vehicles carrying dozens of soldiers arrive at the village of Al-Tuwani. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Soldiers clear the ground floor of a home attached to the propsed prayer site, forcing the residents upstairs. (©Brendan F. Rains)

An IDF rifleman shines his flashlight into the home of Basel Adra. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Flyer posted online which was circulated in journalist group chats in advance of Tisha B'Av. (Translated using Google Images)

(Above) The online announcement advertising an IDF escort and a 10 ₪ bus ride leaving from Susya at 5:00 a.m. to Tuwani where the settlers would remain until 8:00 a.m. During their time in Al-Tuwani, those in attendance were offered a unique entry on Tisha B’Av for morning prayer and reading of kinot (elegies that reflect upon themes of tragedy and loss.)

In previous years, the morning prayer and reading of kinot on Tisha B’Av was used as a means to grant settlers access to the Palestinian village of Al-Tuwani under the protection of IDF soldiers. In 2022, this resulted in Palestinians being forced into their homes at gunpoint, arrests of B’Tselem researchers, and settlers dressed in security and IDF uniforms raiding homes of those living in the village.

A mixed group of journalists and activists watch the buses transporting settlers from Susiya arrive at Al-Tuwani. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Yesterday morning, the IDF arrived around an hour before settlers, cleared the site where prayers were to take place, and ordered anyone on the street to remain inside until the settlers left. Besides the occasional blast of light from rifle-mounted flashlights, journalists were allowed to document the process with marginal interference.

Soldier uses rifle-mounted lights to flare the lenses of journalists photographing and filming them from the roof. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Video from the rooftop of Basel’s home in Al-Tuwani shows the process of IDF clearing the land, settlers engaged in Tisha B’Av prayers, and settlers leaving the property. (©Brendan F. Rains)

While the extreme events of previous years like property damage, theft, arrests, and beatings did not occur this year, the events of yesterday morning still represent an act of violence against Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta region. In Al-Tuwani, residents are at the whim of occupational forces in the area. They may not leave their homes while the settlers are present, are granted no assurances that their home will not be raided, and are offered a separate legal system without due process in the event that they are arrested.

Settlers prepare for morning prayers, separating the women and men in the alleged remains of an Second Temple era synogogue. (©Brendan F. Rains)

American-born, Palestinian journalist and activist, Leila Warah, records as settlers read the kinot on neighboring Palestinian property. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Busses carrying settlers back to Susiya. (©Brendan F. Rains)

Four settlers return on foot to the settlement of Havat Maon. Originally an illegal outpost established in 1981, it is located 1.25km east of Al-Tuwani and causes Palestinians to discontinue their use of nearby roads. (©Brendan F. Rains)

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: While the missile strike from Iran did not occur yesterday morning, Israel and other Western countries remain in a state of anticipation. For the time being, I am remaining hopeful that I will be able to finish covering the stories in the West Bank - primarily the three part piece on basic needs - if regional warfare is to develop.