Mariam Dwedar

Dec 14, 2023 | theguardian.com | Bethan Mckernan |Kyri Evangelou |Mariam Dwedar |Temujin Doran

Masafer Yatta, the most rural and desolate area in the West Bank, is home to about 1,000 Palestinians. The community are mostly herders who raise goats and sheep, and have steadfastly refused to leave their homes despite the mounting difficulties posed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers on the one hand and radical Israeli settlers on the other.

Nov 30, 2023 | theguardian.com | Bethan Mckernan |Mariam Dwedar |Kyri Evangelou |Andy Hayward |Temujin Doran

Seven weeks into the new war between Israel and the militant group Hamas, a four-day ceasefire was called and an exchange began of Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians. On 24 November, the Guardian's Jerusalem correspondent, Bethan McKernan, witnessed celebrations at the Betunia checkpoint in Ramallah, and was allowed access to a family awaiting the release of their daughter, Noorhan. That night, 39 Palestinian women and children were freed from an Israeli jail.

Nov 27, 2023 | theguardian.com | Bethan Mckernan |Mariam Dwedar |Kyri Evangelou |Bryony Moore |Adam Sich |Temujin Doran

The Guardian's Jerusalem correspondent, Bethan McKernan, witnesses celebrations at the Betunia checkpoint in Ramallah after 39 Palestinian women and children were freed from an Israeli jail after Israel and the militant group Hamas agreed to an exchange deal. Fairuz Fayez Mahmoud Al-Bu, a 26-year-old from Abu Dis, told the Guardian conditions in the facility were 'extremely difficult' and had declined since the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on 7 October.