Hebron Deputy Mayor: 250 Families Displaced After Military Operation

Israeli military forces displaced approximately 250 families from their homes in Hebron, West Bank, following a deadly attack on two soldiers. The operation, described by the army as an effort to thwart terrorism, involved coordinated actions with the Shin Bet internal security service and the Border Police. The military stated it was searching for terrorist infrastructure and weapons while interrogating dozens of suspects in the area where the attackers operated.

The incident began with a shooting on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron. Two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in the attack. The two suspected Palestinian attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by Israeli forces. The al-Jalada neighborhood, home to the families of the alleged perpetrators, was a primary focus of the military incursion.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, reported that the military began the operation around midnight on Saturday. He stated that residents were given one hour to vacate their homes. Qawasmi noted that the evacuation included both adults and children and that residents were not permitted to remain in the designated area. He emphasized that the figure of 250 families is not final, as the military siege continues and more evacuations may occur.

Residents in the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh described being ordered out at gunpoint. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, said the military stormed the area shortly after the Friday morning attack. Soldiers accompanied by military vehicles took positions near the Joba family homes. The military distributed a map designating specific buildings for evacuation. Shahada and his family watched from their windows as soldiers forced other families out, noting that one man was beaten during the process.

Shahada said his family packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents because they did not sleep all night. The soldiers directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Some residents went to stay with relatives, while others sought shelter at the Child Happiness Centre. The military told Shahada's family they could return until further notice, though some other families were informed they would be kept out for six months to a year.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in the Farsh al-Hawa area. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled, affecting residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and surrounding villages, blocking main entrances and roads. At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, while dozens were detained for field interrogations.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response to the operation. This includes preparing shelters for displaced families and establishing an operations centre to monitor residents' needs. The municipality opened facilities including family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre to accommodate those affected. Qawasmi warned that if the operation expands, the limited capacity of these centers could lead to a shelter crisis.

The military operation has not ended, and the closure extends to the entrances and gateways of Hebron. Israeli forces continue to be deployed across various parts of the city. The municipality remains on alert as it monitors the scope of the evacuations and the number of families requiring shelter.