Cave Dwellers

In the 70s an entire zone of 11 squared miles in the South Hebron Hills was declared closed military area by the Israeli Army, and it’s nowadays known as Firing Zone 918. But this area is not unmanned.

According to a 2004 census, more then 900 Palestinians live within the boundaries of this zone. Part of the families live inside caves, some of which natural, others excavated, that offer shelter for people and cattle.
Life inside the caves is very plan, and only in recent times the cave dwellers began to enjoy the commodities of electricity produced by solar panels and turbines.

The area is in short supply of water, which is collected during the rains, or bought from the nearby city for something between 7 and 14 dollars per cubic meter.
Cattle is the main source of income for these families, which struggle against the harsh environmental conditions and the political situation of the area, that push many towards the big cities.

These communities are slowly disappearing, and this photo essay depicts their way of life, which will soon be impossible to document.