As part of its work to provide water and sanitation throughout the West Bank, Oxfam has helped one family living in the middle of the occupied Palestinian Territories.

It can’t be easy to keep a cave clean - you can't just plug in the vacuum cleaner and give it the once over. But this cave, set in the remote hillside at Massafa, in the West Bank, is neat and tidy, with cushions arranged on the floor for visitors.

	Jalila, 23, and her child Maram

Jalila, aged 23, was born in this cave. She gave birth to her daughter Maram here last year. Once your eyes become accustomed to the gloom, it is clear that the cave is just like any other living area. It's a typical Bedouin existence in many ways and the outside world is almost forgotten.

Almost, but not quite. This is the occupied Palestinian Territories and overhead, two Israeli F16s patrol the sky. It is impossible to forget that the ownership of the land on which this cave and the neighbouring other caves stand is at the heart of a legal dispute.

Since 1998 family representatives have been fighting a legal battle to remain on the land. They say that the Israeli authorities told them they could stay, on condition they did not build any new structures.

But now the Israelis want to move the family to a plot of land several kilometres away. In spite of everything, the family say they still want to stay. Bassima, 24, says: "We hear the planes hovering over us but we want to stay here and be left alone. Of course we feel isolated but all we want is to be safe.

The girls dance in the caves "We sing and dance here because there is nothing much else to do. Apart from all the suffering of every-day life we make sure that we are happy. Otherwise life would have nothing to offer us."

What is Oxfam doing? Oxfam has recently provided a bathroom with basic sanitation facilities for the family, which they say is already making a huge difference to their quality of life. This is part of Oxfam’s programme to provide water and sanitation facilities throughout the West Bank. Oxfam provided a bathroom with basic sanitation facilities. As well as providing these practical facilities, Oxfam is also calling for a just and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We recognise the need for a solution that will allow both Palestinians and Israelis to live, and make a living, within secure borders. We support a two-state solution in which citizens from both societies can enjoy their full range of human rights under international law. For more information about Oxfam’s work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, click here. Back to top