Hebron Mayor Counts 2,200 Displaced as Israel Locks Down West Bank
The Palestinian Authority calls the move collective punishment as raids sweep 15 areas ahead of the October 27 election.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, reported that 2,200 residents have been forced from their homes. The number reflects the immediate impact of a military operation that began following a deadly attack on an Israeli army reserve base on Friday. Two Palestinian gunmen launched the assault, and both were killed in the exchange along with two Israeli soldiers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank in response to the killing. By Saturday, al-Ja'bari said the city was sealed, preventing people from entering or leaving. Residents described receiving evacuation orders via loudspeakers late at night, leaving families with little time to gather belongings or arrange shelter.
Military activity extended well beyond Hebron. Al Jazeera correspondents documented Israeli raids in at least 15 locations across the West Bank on Saturday. The sweep included Jenin and Nablus in the north, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, and occupied East Jerusalem in the central region, and Bethlehem in the south. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society stated that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these operations.
The Palestinian Authority, which administers the West Bank, labeled the measures as collective punishment. Officials pointed to home demolitions, the displacement of whole neighborhoods, and the closure of city entrances as evidence of a siege. The authority urged the international community to intervene to protect residents. Hamas issued a statement saying the occupation and its settlers are fueling further outrage through their escalations.
The population of Hebron city stands at about 200,000, while the broader Hebron governorate is home to another 600,000 people, making it the most populous region in the West Bank. Issa Amro, a local activist and political analyst, stated that these 800,000 individuals are now under siege with all exits closed. He noted that the city is in fear, with no safe place for anyone to hide.
The military operations coincide with Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent, observed that politicians are capitalizing on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu and his Likud party, along with right-wing coalition allies, are trailing in the polls. Netanyahu declined to confirm plans to dismantle the Palestinian Authority but said a big surprise awaits the organization.
Journalists documenting an Israeli operation near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron were targeted by soldiers, who fired a stun grenade at the press team. The incident occurred while crews filmed forces bulldozing homes and vehicles in the area.
Source: Al Jazeera
