250 families evicted in Hebron after checkpoint shooting kills two soldiers
Israeli forces have ordered residents out of four neighborhoods, with some told they may not return for up to a year.
By Hiroshi Ferrari ·
Residents of Hebron woke to the sound of military vehicles and orders to leave their homes at gunpoint. Following a deadly shooting incident on Friday, Israeli forces have forcibly removed approximately 250 families from their residences in four distinct neighborhoods. The displacement occurred on Saturday morning, leaving many with only minutes to gather essentials before being directed to specific exit routes.
The operation was triggered by a shooting near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded in the attack. The Israeli military stated that two suspected Palestinian attackers were killed during the engagement. The army, acting in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police, described the follow-up measures as an operation to thwart terrorism and dismantle infrastructure in the area where the attackers operated.
Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, said the military began the incursion around midnight. He reported that residents were given one hour to vacate their homes. The affected areas include 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 because the military siege remains in place and further evacuations are possible.
Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, described the scene from his window. He said soldiers stormed the area shortly after the Friday attack, positioning themselves near the homes of the alleged perpetrators, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. Shahada recalled that the military distributed a map designating specific buildings for evacuation. He and his family packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents, sleeping through the night in anticipation of being forced out.
The soldiers directed evacuees toward Al-Salam Street. From there, some moved to relatives' homes, while others went to facilities opened by the municipality. These include the Child Happiness Centre, family guesthouses, and the Korean Centre. Al-Qawasmi warned that shelter capacity is limited. If the operation expands, the municipality may face a crisis in finding adequate space for displaced residents.
Terms of return vary among the displaced. Some families were told they could return once further notice was given, while others were informed they would be kept out for six months to a year. Shahada said his family has not received a specific timeline. He expressed concern about the condition of his home, noting that neighbors' houses were left with doors and windows open and appeared ransacked by soldiers.
Beyond the evacuations, the military imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, with dozens more detained for field interrogations. Demolitions also targeted residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities in Farsh al-Hawa, leveling approximately seven dunums of land.
The Hebron Municipality has activated an emergency plan to manage the situation. This includes preparing additional shelters and establishing an operations center to monitor residents' needs. The military operation has not ended, and the closure extends to all main entrances and gateways of the city. Forces remain deployed across various parts of Hebron as the search and interrogation process continues.
