250 Families Left Without Homes in Hebron After Checkpoint Shooting
Military orders gave residents one hour to leave their properties in four neighborhoods, with some told they may be displaced for up to a year.
By Chioma Kim ·
Residents in four neighborhoods of Hebron lost access to their homes on Saturday morning after Israeli forces ordered them out at gunpoint. The displacement followed a shooting near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday, which killed two soldiers and wounded three others. Local officials say approximately 250 families have been forced to leave, though the number is not final as the operation continues.
The military launched what it described as an operation to thwart terrorism, coordinating with the Shin Bet and Border Police. Forces entered the city around midnight, giving residents one hour to vacate their properties. The sweep covered the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Two suspected Palestinian attackers were killed by Israeli forces during the operation.
Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, watched the incursion from his window. He described a large number of soldiers and military vehicles taking positions near the homes of the alleged perpetrators, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. Shahada said the military distributed maps designating buildings for evacuation. 'We watched them forcing families out of their homes; they even beat one of the men,' he said. His family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents, and did not sleep all night.
Soldiers directed evacuated families along a route toward Al-Salam Street. Some stayed with relatives, while others moved into shelters opened by the Hebron Municipality. These facilities include the Child Happiness Centre, family guesthouses, and the Korean Centre. Shahada's family was told only that they were out 'until further notice.' Other families were given estimates ranging from six months to one year.
The operation coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa, where local sources said around seven dunums of land were levelled. Residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities were targeted. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and roads. At least 13 Palestinians were arrested, and dozens were detained for field interrogations.
Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that the evacuation included adults and children. He noted that residents were not permitted to remain in the targeted area. Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of the opened centers could create a shelter crisis if the military operation expands. The closure extends beyond the targeted neighborhoods to the city's gateways, with forces deployed across various parts of Hebron.
The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to prepare shelters and establish an operations center. Officials are monitoring residents' needs amid concerns that the scope of evacuations may increase. The military continues searches to locate weapons and dismantle infrastructure linked to the shooting.
Source: Middle East Eye
