Under Siege: The Fading Livelihoods of Palestinian Shepherds

The blue-and-white flags fluttering from hilltops and lining the roads of the occupied West Bank are a stark reminder of Israel’s relentless expansion into Palestinian territory. For generations, shepherding has been a way of life for many in the Jordan Valley and Masafer Yatta. However, the increasing presence of Israeli settlements and outposts is eroding this ancient profession.

Thiab Draghme and his brother Ayman lead their flock across the dry hills of the Jordan Valley with caution. The risks surrounding their daily routine have become too great to ignore. With some pastures now off-limits due to settler attacks, they must navigate carefully chosen routes accompanied by Israeli activists documenting their encounters with settlers and troops.

“We are people of generosity and hospitality,” Thiab says. “But it’s hard to reconcile this statement with the reality of living under constant threat.” Eight children grow up surrounded by Israeli demolitions, displacement, and uncertainty – what kind of future does that offer? The fragility of Palestinian livelihoods is on full display as families like Thiab’s adapt to an increasingly hostile environment.

Between January and April 2026, the U.N. humanitarian agency recorded 761 attacks linked to Israeli settlers, forcing nearly 2,000 people into displacement or confinement within their own homes. Entire communities are being isolated by the expansion of new outposts across the surrounding hills. The pressure extends far beyond confrontations between settlers and Palestinians.

A seemingly mundane dispute over a brush fire becomes a microcosm for the broader issue at hand. Settlers, Palestinians, soldiers, and police converge on a hillside, with accusations flying back and forth. One Palestinian and an Israeli activist are detained before being released later that day – a stark reminder of the fine line between life and imprisonment in this conflict.

For many families, the cost of living under siege is too high to bear. Shoma Kaabneh’s family sold all their sheep after an Israeli outpost was built near their home, forcing her husband into construction work for much lower pay. The risk-benefit analysis has become skewed, with shepherding no longer a viable option.

Night watches and vigilant neighbors now take the place of peaceful evenings. Men gather to pray outside homes as settlers ride quad bikes in the distance. This is not an anomaly – it’s a pattern repeated across the West Bank. As evening falls over Masafer Yatta, the horizon stretches out with Israeli construction dominating the view.

The story of Palestinian shepherds under siege serves as a poignant reminder that this conflict goes far beyond politics and ideology. It’s about people – their livelihoods, their families, and their futures. The erosion of these ancient professions is not just an economic issue; it’s a human rights crisis unfolding before our eyes. As we watch the expansion of settlements and outposts, we must also recognize the toll this takes on those who call this land home.