Hebron Evictions: 250 Families Displaced After Checkpoint Fatalities

Israeli military forces ordered approximately 250 Palestinian families to vacate their homes in Hebron on Saturday morning, citing a security operation launched after two soldiers were killed in a shooting on Friday. The displacement affected four specific neighborhoods: al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh.

The operation, described by the Israeli military as a move to thwart terrorism, was conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police. Military officials stated that the two suspected Palestinian attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by Israeli forces during the initial engagement. The army reported that it is currently conducting searches to dismantle what it calls terrorist infrastructure and weapons in the area where the suspects operated.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, told Middle East Eye that the military began the operation around midnight. He said residents were given one hour to leave their homes and were not permitted to remain in the targeted area. Qawasmi noted that the figure of 250 families is not final, as the military siege continues and further evacuations are possible.

Residents described the evacuation process as abrupt and forceful. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident in the al-Jalada neighborhood, said the military stormed the area shortly after the Friday attack. He reported that soldiers positioned themselves near the homes of the al-Joba family and distributed a map designating specific buildings for evacuation. Shahada said his family stayed in their building, watching from windows as soldiers forced other families out and beat at least one man.

Shahada and his family packed small bags containing medicines, mobile phone chargers, and important documents. They waited anxiously through the night without sleep. The soldiers directed displaced families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. From there, some residents went to stay with relatives, while others moved to the Child Happiness Centre, which the municipality opened to accommodate them.

The military told Shahada's family that they could return 'until further notice.' Other families were informed that they would be kept out of their homes for a period ranging from six months to one year. Shahada expressed concern about the condition of their property after observing neighbors' homes with doors and windows left wide open and visibly ransacked.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in the Farsh al-Hawa area, where local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled. The destruction targeted residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces also imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps, blocking main entrances and roads.

During the closure, military forces raided homes, conducted searches, and carried out arrests. Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, while dozens were detained for several hours and subjected to field interrogations. The military operation has not ended, and the closure extends beyond the targeted area to the entrances and gateways of Hebron, with forces continuing to be deployed across various parts of the city.

In response to the operation, the Hebron Municipality announced the activation of an emergency plan. This includes the preparation of shelters for displaced families and the establishment of an operations center to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that if the operation expands, the municipality could face a crisis in finding shelter, given the limited capacity of facilities such as family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre.

The military stated that residents could leave through designated exits. The operation remains focused on the area from which the alleged attackers had operated. The deputy mayor said the evacuation included both adults and children. The municipality is working to accommodate those affected in various facilities while the military siege persists.