Negev Bedouin: 'We are defenseless against rockets; we don't even have small shelters'

The condition of seven-year-old Amina Al-Hasuni from the Bedouin village of Al-Farua near Arad, who was injured by shrapnel in a night rocket attack from Iran, remains critical. Her life is still in danger. The girl is in the Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva, where she underwent surgery. Doctors continue to fight for her life.

Residents of the Al-Farua village, like those of many other illegal Bedouin csettlements, are outraged by the complete lack of protective structures in their communities. Amina was injured by shrapnel that pierced the walls of her home.

The girl's father, who is with her in the hospital, said that they have no bomb shelters or protected rooms, and all Bedouins live in fear of rockets. "We woke up to sirens, but we had nowhere to hide," he shared.

It is important to note that besides standardized bomb shelters built in major cities and settlements, Israel has a type of lightweight and mobile bomb shelter, the form and effectiveness of which have been developed over years of rocket attacks.

Compact small concrete shelters, called "migunit," are delivered and installed by a truck with a lifting crane. Such facilities are installed in agricultural areas and military bases. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Defense are responsible for the acquisition and installation of such facilities.

The absence of any protected spaces in Bedouin settlements is a well-known and longstanding problem. However, neither the Ministry of Development of the Negev and Galilee nor the Ministry of Defense, through the Rear Command, has solved the issue.