Aidan Frere-Smith
Nowhere Else but Home (2024 - ongoing)

In the South Hebron Hills of the West Bank lies Masafer Yatta. The rugged landscape, characterised by deep swaying valleys of limestone rock, topped with sparse vegetation, is home to a Palestinian population of sum 4,500 people spread across a multitude of small villages and hamlets. Many continue to live a traditional way of life as farmers and shepherds; harvesting wheat, olives and other crops as well as producing milk and cheese from sheep and goats. It is a hard and labour intensive life, but the real challenges come from living under occupation.

Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Israeli military forces occupied the Palestinian territory of the West Bank and began establishing military training areas, including part of Masafer Yatta; declared Firing Zone 918 in 1980 and home to approximately 1,600 Palestinians. Since then, there has been a dedicated campaign to establish settlements and expel the Palestinian residents. Harassment, intimidation, violence, obstruction of daily life and other forms of oppression are implemented by settlers and, when not directly participating themselves, are protected by Israeli police and army; collectively referred to by Palestinians as ‘occupational forces’. Yet, despite this, life continues.

Amongst the hardship, a traditional way of life aligned with their identity and connection to the land persists and is shared by the next generations whilst retaining their youthful spirit. Though the future of Palestinians in Masafer Yatta is uncertain, for now they remain. And with that, their residence acts as a form of resistance. There is no alternative. There is nowhere else but home.
The valleys of Khirbet al-Kharoubeh and Sarura; two Palestinian communities that no longer exist due to the forced displacement. 
Some residents install CCTV in the hope to deter violence and forms of oppression inflicted against them at their homes. Evidence can also be used to prove their innocence when arrested under false allegations during attacks and raids. Both purposes have varying outcomes.
Some residents install CCTV in the hope to deter violence and forms of oppression inflicted against them at their homes. Evidence can also be used to prove their innocence when arrested under false allegations during attacks and raids. Both purposes have varying outcomes.
Aynisa, Layla and Sarah outside of their home in Shi'b Al-Butm.
Aynisa, Layla and Sarah outside of their home in Shi'b Al-Butm.
The large-scale demolition of the village Khallet al-Daba', carried by the Israeli authorities and a large cohort of soldiers and police. Families had no choice but to watch on as their community was reduced to rubble. Once the demolition has finished, they return in search of salvageable materials to rebuild. 
The large-scale demolition of the village Khallet al-Daba', carried by the Israeli authorities and a large cohort of soldiers and police. Families had no choice but to watch on as their community was reduced to rubble. Once the demolition has finished, they return in search of salvageable materials to rebuild. 
The large-scale demolition of the village Khallet al-Daba', carried by the Israeli authorities and a large cohort of soldiers and police. Families had no choice but to watch on as their community was reduced to rubble. Once the demolition has finished, they return in search of salvageable materials to rebuild. 
Traditionally, residents pull up wheat by hand. It is a time-consuming and exhausting task, but is carried out daily throughout the harvesting season and is a vital source of income for rural communities. 
Jude poses joyfully with his contribution in the fields nearby to his family home in Shi'b Al-Butm.

Layla uses the windows of her family home in Shi’b Al-Butm as part of a playground, laughing to herself as her siblings watch on.
Layla uses the windows of her family home in Shi’b Al-Butm as part of a playground, laughing to herself as her siblings watch on.
Sadeem amongst the rubble of her former home on the edge of the village At-Tuwani. 
Caves are commonly used by Palestinian, partly or entirely as family homes. Due to the escalating threat of demolitions by the Israeli authorities, new caves continue to be made in an attempt to prevent being expelled. 
Moayad and Aynisa preparing tea whilst grazing the family’s sheep and goats near their family home in Shi’b Al-Butm.
Moayad and Aynisa preparing tea whilst grazing the family’s sheep and goats near their family home in Shi’b Al-Butm.
A tribute to Harun Abu Aram who was shot by Israeli soldiers outside his family home. He was left quadriplegic and requiring a respiratory device to enable him to breathe. 
Harun’s wheelchair. He was being cared for by his mother, but Israeli settlers cut off her electricity supply rendering his vital life support systems useless. On route to obtain medication, the family vehicle was seized at an Israeli checkpoint. He later died from complications. 
To isolate the rural communities around the city of Yatta, the Israeli military blockade and dig up the most direct roads, forcing residents to travel further and also divert them via military checkpoints. 
To isolate the rural communities around the city of Yatta, the Israeli military blockade and dig up the most direct roads, forcing residents to travel further and also divert them via military checkpoints. 
Near their family home in Shi’b Al-Butm, Ishaaq and Moayad playfully pose after a day harvesting wheat and shearing the family's sheep and goats. 
Near their family home in Shi’b Al-Butm, Ishaaq and Moayad playfully pose after a day harvesting wheat and shearing the family's sheep and goats. 
Vine leaf picking in Um Dhorit. 
Sheep and goat milking in Shi’b Al-Butm.
Sheikh Saeed on the ground after being shot by an Israeli settler trying to seize land belonging to Sheikh’s family. Despite being taken to hospital, both Sheikh and his son, Elias, a minor who recorded the attack, were arrested under false allegations of assault. As a result of his injuries Sheikh Saeed had his leg amputated. The perpetrator was never charged. 
Sheikh Saeed on the ground after being shot by an Israeli settler trying to seize land belonging to Sheikh’s family. Despite being taken to hospital, both Sheikh and his son, Elias, a minor who recorded the attack, were arrested under false allegations of assault. As a result of his injuries Sheikh Saeed had his leg amputated. The perpetrator was never charged. 
Despite his life-changing injuries, Sheikh Saeed proudly maintains his olive grove; an area he refers to as a place of peace. 
Despite his life-changing injuries, Sheikh Saeed proudly maintains his olive grove; an area he refers to as a place of peace. 
Moayad takes a break from grazing the family herd, and shelters the sheep and goats in a cave, away from the midday sun. 
Whilst the herd cools down, full of youthful energy, he seizes the opportunity to repeatedly leap off the roof of the cave. 
An armed settler approaches Palestinian shepherds peacefully grazing near al-Mufaqarah. He threatens them and calls for reinforcements. As the Israeli military arrives, the shepherds return home to avoid any confrontation. 
Israeli settlers provoke shepherds by making false allegations to Israeli police and military. Despite the threat of the arrest, the shepherds carefully reaffirm their right, and intention, to graze in peace. 
Still energetic after a hard day working the land with his family, Ishaaq plays football and eats sweets in the setting sun outside of his home in Shi’b Al-Butm. 
Still energetic after a hard day working the land with his family, Ishaaq plays football and eats sweets in the setting sun outside of his home in Shi’b Al-Butm. 
Dusk heightens anxiety for families as raids by Israeli military and attacks by settlers often occur at night or in the early hours of the morning. Homes in isolated areas or close to outposts and settlements are particularly vulnerable. 
Deployed by settlers to harass and intimidate Palestinians, a drone hovers over a home in Shi’b al-Butm. Also used to plan attacks, the drones cause fear and anxiety to the residents, particularly at night. 
Palestinian youth in al-Mufaqarah on their way to school in At-Tuwani. 
Palestinian youth in al-Mufaqarah on their way to school in At-Tuwani. 
Students outside of school in At-Tuwani. 
Students outside of school in At-Tuwani. 
Soldiers congregate outside the school in At-Tuwani. With them are settlers in military fatigues with weaponry issued by the Israeli authorities. Since 2023 alone, hundreds of thousands of automatic firearms have been distributed to settlers across the West Bank.
A school in Khirbet a-Sfari al-Foqa lies in ruins. Claiming it was built without approval, Israeli authorities removed both children and teachers by force, including sound bombs.Residents erected tents to allow classes to continue, but these were confiscated. 
A family watches nervously from their garden in At-Tuwani as police and soldiers congregate outside. For Palestinians, daily life is constantly disrupted by intimidatory tactics such as this. 

As Friday prayer comes to an end, followers outside the mosque in At-Tuwani are confronted by Israeli soldiers who demand that they disperse. As residents make their way home, soldiers continue to roam the streets intimidating the local community. 
Ishaaq collects dehydrated animal droppings at his home in Shi’b al-Butm to use as fuel in the family’s ‘tabun’ (bread oven). This sustainable fuel source is a traditional practice for rural communities where wood is scarce. This is one of many tasks that is required to sustain living off the land. 
Ishaaq collects dehydrated animal droppings at his home in Shi’b al-Butm to use as fuel in the family’s ‘tabun’ (bread oven). This sustainable fuel source is a traditional practice for rural communities where wood is scarce. This is one of many tasks that is required to sustain living off the land. 
In Maghayir al-Abeeed, a mother takes her proven bread dough to bake in the ‘tuban’. These are kept separate from the main dwelling due to the smoke and heat they generate. Bread is baked fresh daily and is ready in only a few minutes.
In Maghayir al-Abeeed, a mother takes her proven bread dough to bake in the ‘tuban’. These are kept separate from the main dwelling due to the smoke and heat they generate. Bread is baked fresh daily and is ready in only a few minutes.
 Khader Al-Omour grazing his sheep and goats and collecting harvested wheat on higher ground along the edge of At-Tuwani and Al-Rekeez. 
 Khader Al-Omour grazing his sheep and goats and collecting harvested wheat on higher ground along the edge of At-Tuwani and Al-Rekeez. 
In the darkness of the night, Israeli settlers approached the home of a Palestinian family in Um Dhorit and set fire to their car. The fire was quickly put out but the true extent of the damage was clear to see the next day. 
Following the destruction of a Palestinian orchard in Wadi al-Humra, carried out by settlers, a fruit tree bears a new shoot. Despite the hostility inflicted in Masafer Yatta, life finds a way