However, the 25 family members never got to experience their first night in the three adjacent three-storey buildings.
‘I can’t even describe how I felt; I almost wish I didn’t see the demolition. I felt defeated’
– Rashid Kawazba
At around 5am on Monday morning, Israeli army forces raided the village and surrounded the Kawazba family homes. They had brought several bulldozers along with them.
“While I was on my way to work, my family called to tell me that dozens of Israeli soldiers accompanied by bulldozers and military jeeps were raiding the neighbourhood,” Kawazba told Middle East Eye, standing near the ruins of what was to be his new home.
Kawazba said that the military shut down the entire neighbourhood, and began demolishing the buildings almost immediately.
“All we could do was watch. I can’t even describe how I felt; I almost wish I didn’t see the demolition. I felt defeated. Everything my brothers and I worked for was gone instantly,” he recounted.
“We were already picturing our lives in those houses, we couldn’t wait to move in, but the Israelis came and destroyed everything. They didn’t even let us take anything out of the house,” he said.
“They killed our dream. Everything I did and all the money I paid was for nothing.”