• Violation: Killing of a camel and injuring another
• Date of Violation: July 11, 2024
• Location: Umm Qussa Village – Yatta Area / Hebron Governorate
• Perpetrator: Settlers
• Affected Party: Citizen Salah Abu Aliya

Description:

Mr. Najeh Taimat, Deputy Head of the Umm Qussa Village Council in the eastern Yatta region south of Hebron, reported that settlers killed one of the camels and injured another by shooting at them while they were grazing on the outskirts of the village.

Taimat stated:

 “Mr. Salah Khalil Abu Aliya, a resident of my village, owns a herd of about ten camels, which are a primary source of income for his family of ten members, including seven children. Camel herding is a traditional practice among the Bedouin. However, the settler known as 'Yoav,' who controls the old Khirbet al-Daraj outpost, occasionally shoots at sheep and camels grazing in the area without any apparent reason. It seems he is indulging in shooting camels to satisfy his desires and hobbies!”

• Taimat mentioned that Abu Aliya noticed when the camels returned to the barn on the evening of July 11, 2024, that one was missing and another was injured with bleeding around its neck. It became apparent that there were gunshot wounds on its neck and head. Abu Aliya then followed the blood trail from the injured camel to find the other missing camel, only to discover that it had died with gunshot wounds to its head and neck, and predatory animals had also scavenged part of it.

The killed camel and the injured camel

View of the old outpost controlled by settlers – photo from 2022

Taimat explained that villagers in Umm Qussa own several camels and have recently begun accompanying them while grazing to protect them from being shot by settlers. Previously, the camels would graze alone in the desert and return to their pens in the evening, which was a characteristic of their camel herding.

The price of the camel killed by the settler is estimated at approximately $4,500, while the injured camel is still under treatment, incurring additional costs to save its life.

Background on Umm Qussa Village:

Umm Qussa is one of the villages in the eastern Yatta region, inhabited by many Bedouin clans (Al-Ka'abna and Al-Taimat) who are engaged in livestock farming. They continue to maintain camel herding as a symbol of heritage and Bedouin tradition in Palestine. East of the village is an old outpost building from the Jordanian army era (Jordanian rule ended in 1967). In 2023, a group of settlers took over this outpost and turned it into a hotspot for attacks on farmers and residents in the area.

Role of Camels in the Ecosystem:

Camels play a crucial role in the ecosystem, including:

1. Adaptation to Harsh Environments: Camels are well adapted to harsh desert conditions, such as high temperatures and water scarcity, allowing them to survive in environments hostile to many other animals.
2. Seed Dispersal: Camels help in seed dispersal by moving seeds through their dung, contributing to the spread and growth of plants in new areas, which enhances biodiversity in desert regions.
3. Impact on Vegetation: Grazing by camels can affect plant composition in the area, as intensive grazing may reduce the growth of some plant species and increase the spread of others.
4. Water Resource Use:       Camels have a unique ability to endure long periods without water, reducing pressure on water resources in arid environments.

مشروع: حماية الحقوق البيئية الفلسطينية في مناطق "ج" SPERAC IV - GFFO

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of Land Research Center and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the project donor; the Norwegian Refugee Council.

إخلاء المسؤولية: الآراء ووجهات النظر الواردة في هذا التقرير هي آراء ووجهات نظر مركز أبحاث الأراضي ولا تعكس بالضرورة وجهات نظر أو مواقف الجهة المانحة للمشروع؛ المجلس النرويجي. للاجئين