Hebron Evicts 250 Families After Checkpoint Killing

Israeli military forces evacuated approximately 250 Palestinian families from four neighborhoods in Hebron on Saturday morning. The displacement followed a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city, where two soldiers were killed and three others wounded. The two suspected Palestinian attackers were killed by Israeli forces during the engagement. The military launched what it described as an operation to thwart terrorism in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that the operation began around midnight. Residents in the affected areas were given one hour to vacate their homes. The evacuation orders applied to the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Al-Qawasmi noted that the figure of 250 families is not final, as the military siege continues and further evacuations are possible.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, said the military stormed the area shortly after the Friday attack. Soldiers and military vehicles positioned themselves near the homes of Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, the two men alleged to be the perpetrators. The military distributed maps designating specific homes and adjacent buildings for evacuation. Shahada and his family watched the incursion from their windows, packing small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and important documents.

Shahada reported that soldiers forced families out of their residences along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. He described the process as abrupt, with residents ordered out at gunpoint. Some families stayed with relatives, while others moved to the Child Happiness Centre opened by the municipality. The soldiers told Shahada his family could return only until further notice. Other families were informed they would be kept out of their homes for six months to a year.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were levelled, affecting residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages and refugee camps. Main entrances and roads were blocked, and forces continued to deploy across various parts of the city.

At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city during the operation. Dozens of others were detained for several hours and subjected to field interrogations. The military stated it was conducting searches to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure and weapons. It said the operation was focused on the area where the alleged attackers operated and that residents could leave through designated exits.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response to the operation. This includes the preparation of shelters for displaced families and the establishment of an operations centre to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that limited capacity at existing centres could lead to a shelter crisis if the operation expands. The municipal facilities currently housing displaced families include family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre.

Residents expressed concern about the condition of their homes during the evacuation. Shahada said he saw neighbors' houses left with doors and windows wide open, ransacked and vandalized by soldiers. The military has not announced a specific end date for the closure or the evacuation orders. The operation remains active as of Saturday.