When we returned, we thought that we would be happy, explained Muhammed al-Tal, a 23-year-old villager, whose family has lived in Zanuta for generations. But we were shocked by the sight of demolished and burned homes and devastation everywhere. We carried the keys to our homes and they remained a sign of hope for us, that we would return, he said. We were able to return, but we did not find houses or doors for the keys that we carried.
Zanuta lies about 20km (12 miles) south of Hebron and was home to about 40 families, or about 250 people, before the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza in October last year, in which Israel has now killed more than 42,000 Palestinians. This was a community focused on rearing livestock, an ancient way of life and a common one for the Palestinian residents of this part of the West Bank.
The abandonment of Zanuta was sparked by attacks by violent settlers who living in nearby settlements, including Shim'a, to the east. These attacks predated the Gaza war, but the conflict has provided cover for an increase.
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