In the dry hills of Masafer Yatta in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian families are turning centuries-old caves into homes after their houses were demolished.
Among them is 33-year-old herder Mohammed Emar, who has transformed two limestone caves into a home for himself, his two wives and their 11 children. He installed concrete flooring, coated the rough stone walls with white limewash and added electricity from solar panels and water from a well.
The family has created a small patio outside the cave where the children play. Emar’s daughters sing Arabic songs on a karaoke machine while looking after their younger siblings.
But despite making the underground space more comfortable, the family still misses living above ground. Emar said they previously had a house where they could look out over the surrounding landscape, while their current home feels like living underground.
The rubble of Emar’s two demolished houses remains on the hillside, three years after they were destroyed. Nearby, Israeli flags, fences and floodlights mark the settlement of Avigayil, about 300 metres from the family’s caves. Emar says some residents have caused problems for his family, including alleged theft and attacks.
Masafer Yatta has experienced recurring home demolitions and tensions between Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers. The area is largely under Israeli control, and Palestinian residents say obtaining building permits is extremely difficult. The Israeli military says demolitions are carried out because the structures were built without the required permits.
After their houses were demolished in 2023, Emar’s family initially lived in tents before moving into the caves. His wife, Fatima, said the caves had existed since ancient times and were therefore not subject to the same demolition orders as their constructed homes.
Residents say close-knit community ties have helped families remain on their land despite losing their homes. Neighbours and relatives often help those affected by demolitions build alternative shelters.
Masafer Yatta is home to roughly 1,100 Palestinians. Emar says he hopes the community will eventually be able to live safely in conventional houses rather than underground caves.
