Khirbet Al-Hadidiya… The Forgotten Corner Where Life Moves at a Different Rhythm
Deep in the northern Jordan Valley, where time seems to stand still and life unfolds at a slower, harsher rhythm, Khirbet Al-Hadidiya stands as a living witness to one of the most enduring and painful examples of Palestinian suffering. In this forgotten corner of Palestinian geography, around 110 Palestinians cling to their land as a drowning person clings to a lifeline. There is no running water, no paved roads, no nearby schools, and no medical clinics. Only unbreakable determination and deep-rooted attachment to the land stand in the face of decades of marginalization and forced displacement.
During a field visit conducted by Albaidar Human Rights Organization to Khirbet Al-Hadidiya in the northern Jordan Valley, and through its meeting with Hajj Abdul Rahim Bisharat (“Abu Saqr”), a symbol of steadfastness in the community, this report paints a detailed portrait of a small society fighting for survival. It reveals daily realities in which every moment and every detail becomes a battle for dignity and the right to live.
Al-Hadidiya… Life on the Edge of Survival
In his testimony to Albaidar, Abu Saqr describes Khirbet Al-Hadidiya as “a living model of Palestinian suffering in the northern Jordan Valley,” explaining that life there “is not measured in days, but in patience and perseverance.” Every moment is a daily struggle against systematic deprivation of the most basic necessities of life, from water brought in external tankers at prices far beyond residents’ financial capacity, to limited electricity barely sufficient to light a single bulb. The community lives in a cycle of continuous crises, yet steadfastness remains their only option. Abu Saqr states: “Steadfastness is not a choice, it is a duty… remaining on this land is the true meaning of life.”
Daily Life: Patience Against the Harshness of the Land
Life in Al-Hadidiya begins before sunrise. Shepherds rise early to prepare their livestock to walk through rugged grazing routes scattered with sharp rocks and dangerous slopes. In winter, dirt roads turn into thick mud, making every step a new test of endurance. Nature is not the only threat — settler violence adds another layer of danger, from blocking roads and attacking livestock to approaching tents and terrorizing women and children. “We fear for our livestock as we fear for our children… but we must continue, because this land is ours, our heritage and identity, and we cannot abandon it regardless of the risks,” Abu Saqr says with determination.
Children also bear the burden of this struggle. They travel approximately 33 kilometers daily to reach their schools in Tubas, a journey that exhausts them before their classes even begin. Despite this, many of them achieve top academic results. Abu Saqr remarks: “Despite all conditions, our children rank among the best — proof that patience and perseverance are the path to survival.” For him, education is not only a right, but “a tool to preserve identity and land, a daily test of endurance, and an opportunity to build a generation capable of facing the future.”
Women… The Backbone of Resilience
In the near absence of essential services and formal support, women carry the heaviest burden in sustaining life in the community. They fetch water from long distances across rough terrain under scorching summer heat or bitter winter cold, care for livestock, and maintain milk and meat production. Abu Saqr describes their role: “Women here never rest… they are the reason we continue.” Beyond physical labor, women provide emotional stability and psychological resilience, planting hope and strengthening collective endurance. “A mother’s smile and encouragement give more strength than anything else,” he adds.
Lack of Infrastructure Deepens Isolation
The road leading to Khirbet Al-Hadidiya is more than just poor — as Abu Saqr describes it, it is “a daily journey of suffering.” A dirt road filled with potholes and sharp rocks turns into thick mud during winter, halting vehicles for hours and making access to schools, hospitals, and markets nearly impossible. This isolation not only disrupts daily life but cripples economic activity, preventing residents from selling agricultural products or purchasing necessities at reasonable prices. The healthcare situation is even more dire. With no local clinics, ambulances, or medical equipment, any illness or injury becomes potentially life-threatening. Abu Saqr warns: “The road itself can be the cause of death before reaching the hospital.” Patients must travel 33 kilometers through rough terrain to reach Tubas Hospital, often arriving too late, especially in the case of children and elderly people.
Life in Al-Hadidiya: A Battle in Every Detail
In Khirbet Al-Hadidiya, nothing is ordinary. From opening a water tank to lighting a weak electric bulb, every action carries a challenge. Working small agricultural plots requires constant soil monitoring, resisting drought, protecting crops from weeds, pests, and sometimes wild animals. Even preparing food demands careful planning to avoid wasting limited resources. Abu Saqr explains: “Even the smallest details in our daily lives carry struggles the world does not see… every step we take is for survival.”
Legal Recommendations
In light of the systematic human rights violations revealed in this report, Albaidar Human Rights Organization stresses the urgent need for legal and rights-based action, recommending the following:
Appealing to international protection mechanisms by submitting documented complaints to the UN Human Rights Council regarding forced displacement and systematic repression.
Activating international humanitarian law, recognizing the northern Jordan Valley as occupied territory governed by the Fourth Geneva Convention, obligating the occupying power to provide basic services and protect civilians.
Applying diplomatic pressure to secure infrastructure development, including safe roads, access to water and electricity, and educational and healthcare services.
Providing legal support to residents to defend their land in local and international courts and to document settler violence.
Strengthening the role of human rights organizations through ongoing field monitoring, documentation of violations, and reporting to UN bodies and international courts.
Conclusion
Albaidar affirms that Khirbet Al-Hadidiya is not merely a small rural community in the northern Jordan Valley, but a reflection of the essence of the Palestinian struggle — a battle for existence, identity, and dignity. In this remote area, 110 Palestinians endure daily oppression and marginalization while holding firmly to ancestral land. Women sustain life against impossible odds, children walk kilometers to pursue education, and men confront nature and settler aggression to protect what remains of their livelihood. “Our steadfastness is not a choice, but a duty,” Abu Saqr declares, delivering a message to the world: this land is not measured by its size, but by the value of those who live on it and defend it. It stands as living proof that human will can overcome the harshest conditions, and that rights never die as long as there are those who defend them.