Beersheba, Israel — When sirens sound in the southern Israeli desert, warning of incoming missiles, Ahmad Abu Ganima's family quickly moves outside. They descend dirt-hewn steps and squeeze through the window of a minibus buried deep under 10 feet of soil. Abu Ganima, a mechanic, had obtained the stripped-down bus from his employer and buried it in his yard, creating an improvised bomb shelter for his family. He belongs to Israel's Bedouin community, a once-nomadic group of 300,000 that now resides throughout the Negev Desert.
Lack of Shelter Access — According to Huda Abu Obaid, executive director of the Negev Coexistence Forum, over two-thirds of the Bedouin have no access to shelters. As the threat of missiles became more significant during the 12-day war with Iran last month, many Bedouin families resorted to building do-it-yourself shelters: buried steel containers, discarded trucks, and repurposed construction debris served as their makeshift safety nets.
Under-Serviced Communities — Amira Abu Queider, a 55-year-old lawyer, highlights the harsh realities in Al-Zarnug, a village laden with rudimentary cement structures and without recognition from the Israeli government. The lack of official recognition means no services like trash collection, electricity, or water. Residents typically rely on solar panels and face frequent demolition orders, a common plight for the 90,000 Bedouins living in 35 unrecognized villages in southern Israel.
Even in recognized areas, access to shelters is scarce. For example, the largest Bedouin city in the south, Rahat, has only eight public shelters for its 79,000 residents, whereas the nearby Jewish town of Ofakim has 150 shelters for 41,000 people. As a result, many Bedouins find themselves squeezed into tiny mobile bomb shelters or hastily constructed underground hideaways, often leaving the elderly and those with mobility issues behind.
Tragic Outcomes — Recent clashes took a grim toll: as of October 7, 2023, 21 Bedouins were killed and six were taken hostage. On the initial day of the Hamas attack, missile strikes resulted in the deaths of seven Bedouins, including children. Although no Bedouins suffered casualties during the 12-day war with Iran, a Bedouin girl sustained a severe head injury from missile shrapnel during Iran's assault in April 2024 on Israel, one of the few civilian injuries reported.
The conflict led to over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken in Israel, while in Gaza, over 57,000 Palestinians have died, according to figures from the Gaza Health Ministry.
The Need for Temporary Safety — Bedouins know that their self-made shelters offer minimal safety against direct hits. However, even imperfect sanctuaries can soothe the children—like the minibus where Abu Ganima's family finds temporary solace from the blaring sirens.
Najah Abo Smhan, a single mother from Al-Zarnug, describes her daughter’s terror and their reliance on neighbors' makeshift shelters. When missiles loom, panic ensues as people worry about where to go to protect their lives.
Urgency for Adequate Protection — After the October 7 attacks, Israeli security placed some 300 mobile shelters in Bedouin areas. Though well-intentioned, these shelters are insufficient against advanced threats, like Iran's ballistic missiles. Thousands more are estimated to be required.
The Israeli Home Front Command says bomb shelters are a local authority issue, but such governance is absent in unrecognized Bedouin villages. The ongoing wars have prompted temporary shelter assistance, yet imminent demolition threats still loom overhead.
While Israel’s Arab population, which includes the Bedouins, comprises 20% of the country’s citizens, many suffer discrimination. Although some Bedouins serve in the military, this group remains the most impoverished segment of Israel’s Arab minority.
The Bedouin community seeks not just financial aid for bomb shelters but the freedom to construct homes with adequate safety features. Building permits, however, remain elusive. The high cost deters individuals from constructing reinforced rooms, especially when risking state-mandated demolition soon after.
“People don’t even want to try it,” Abu Obaid reveals, citing prohibitive costs and potential government destruction. This cycle leaves the Bedouin community in a continuous struggle for safety and security. (AP) PY PY
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