Hebron Mayor Declares Emergency as 2,200 Residents Evicted in Five-Minute Sweep
Israeli forces sealed all city entrances and shut the Ibrahimi Mosque after two soldiers died at a checkpoint.
By Malcolm Davis ·
Every entrance to Hebron is now closed, and roughly 2,200 residents have been forced from their homes. Mayor Yousef Jaabari declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening to coordinate shelter for the displaced. The municipality established a crisis hotline to assist those seeking aid.
The lockdown followed a violent incident at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Early on Friday, two suspected Palestinians opened fire on Israeli troops near the western edge of the city. Two soldiers died, and three others sustained injuries. Jaabari described the subsequent military actions as collective punishment.
The evictions targeted the Deir Bahala and al-Jalda neighborhoods. This area spans approximately 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units. The displaced group includes elderly individuals, women, and children. The Palestinian Information Centre reported that forces detained at least 40 people on Saturday evening. Troops also demolished commercial and residential structures during the crackdown.
Residents stated that soldiers gave families five minutes to vacate their properties. Truck drivers shared videos of them transporting goods from factories before demolition teams arrived. Jaabari noted that the city is now a disaster zone with no movement in or out.
Israeli forces also sealed the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs said staff and custodians were removed. Jaabari confirmed that no prayers are being held and that the call to prayer is banned. The mosque has served as a place of worship for over 1,400 years. Recent months saw Israel add restrictions, including barring Muslim worshippers and facilitating settler access.
Jaabari questioned the timing of the measures. He accused far-right ministers in the Israeli government of using the situation for election publicity. Several ministers are contesting elections in the coming days. The mayor stated that the municipality is monitoring every detail of the emergency response.
Source: Middle East Eye
