Hebron Residents Evicted After Checkpoint Attack
Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi says 250 families were forced from their homes as Israeli forces maintain a siege on the West Bank city.
By Dmitri Sokolov ·
Hundreds of Palestinian families in Hebron now live in temporary shelters or with relatives after Israeli forces ordered them from their homes. Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi stated that approximately 250 families were displaced in the initial wave of the operation. He noted that this figure is not final because the military siege remains in place and more evacuations are possible.
The displacement followed a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded during the attack. Israeli forces killed the two suspected Palestinian attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. The military described the subsequent actions as an operation to thwart terrorism, working in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police.
Soldiers began the evacuation around midnight, giving residents one hour to vacate their homes. The operation targeted the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Residents reported being ordered out at gunpoint with little time to gather belongings. The military provided designated exits for families to leave the area.
Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, described watching soldiers force families from their homes. He said his family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents but did not sleep all night. Soldiers directed residents along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Some families moved to the Child Happiness Centre, while others stayed with relatives. Shahada said soldiers told them they could return 'until further notice,' though some other families were informed they would be out for six months to a year.
The military operation coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land, including residential and commercial buildings, were levelled. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and roads. At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, and dozens were detained for field interrogations.
The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to manage the situation. The plan includes preparing shelters at family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre. An operations centre was established to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of these centres could lead to a shelter crisis if the operation expands further. The military continues to deploy forces across various parts of the city.
The operation remains ongoing as of Saturday morning. The military stated it is conducting searches to locate weapons and interrogating suspects. Residents in the targeted area are not permitted to remain. The closure extends to the surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. No official timeline has been set for the end of the operation.
Source: Middle East Eye
