Palestinian family lives in West Bank cave due to building restrictions

Farhan al Rashaydeh and his family live in a cave in the occupied West Bank, a choice shaped by Israel's restrictive building policies. Most Palestinian construction permits are denied, pushing some families to seek alternative housing, including caves that predate the state of Israel. Source: Al Jazeera

The cave

Al Rashaydeh says they love the cave, but the decision was driven in part by the difficulty of obtaining permits. The cave is described as older than Israel, highlighting the long Palestinian presence in the region. Source: Al Jazeera

The context

Israel's building policies in the West Bank have long been criticized by human rights groups for limiting Palestinian development. This report illustrates the human impact of those policies, as families resort to unconventional living arrangements. Source: Al Jazeera