Hebron: Military Sweep Displaces 250 Families in Four Neighborhoods
Military orders followed a deadly checkpoint shooting, displacing residents from four neighborhoods while the municipality prepares emergency shelters.
By Ivan Petrov ·
The West Bank city of Hebron has seen a sharp increase in military activity following a shooting incident at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Israeli forces moved into several residential areas on Saturday morning, displacing hundreds of Palestinian families in a rapid operation that local officials described as ongoing.
The military action began after two soldiers were killed and three others wounded in a Friday shooting near the checkpoint. Israeli forces identified the attackers as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, who were killed by military fire during the operation. The army stated it was conducting a campaign to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and locate weapons in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police.
Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi said the military launched the operation around midnight, giving residents one hour to vacate their homes. Approximately 250 families have been forced to leave the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh so far. Qawasmi noted that the figure is not final, as the military siege continues and more families may be ordered out.
Residents reported being ordered from their homes at gunpoint with limited time to gather belongings. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, watched from his window as soldiers forced neighbors out and beat one man. His family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents but did not sleep through the night. Soldiers directed families toward Al-Salam Street, where some stayed with relatives and others moved to the Child Happiness Centre opened by the municipality.
The military told some families they would be kept out of their homes for six months to a year, while others were given no specific timeline, hearing only that they were displaced until further notice. Shahada expressed concern for the fate of his home after seeing neighboring houses left with open doors and windows, appearing ransacked by soldiers.
The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa, where local sources said seven dunums of land were levelled, affecting residential buildings and commercial shops. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and raiding homes. Local sources reported at least 13 Palestinians were arrested, while dozens were detained for field interrogations.
The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to prepare shelters and establish an operations center. Qawasmi warned that if the operation expands, a shelter crisis could emerge due to limited capacity at facilities including family guesthouses and the Korean Centre. The military operation has not ended, and forces remain deployed across various parts of the city.
Source: Middle East Eye
