Hebron Evictions: 250 Families Forced From Homes After Shooting
The Israeli military said it was conducting searches to dismantle weapons and interrogate suspects after two soldiers were killed near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint.
By Aiko Soto ·
Israeli forces have forced approximately 250 Palestinian families to leave their homes in Hebron following a shooting near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday that killed two soldiers and wounded three others. The two alleged Palestinian attackers were also killed by military fire.
Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, said the military operation began around midnight and gave residents one hour to vacate their homes. He said the figure of 250 displaced families was not final, given the ongoing siege.
The Israeli military described the operation as a coordinated effort with the Shin Bet and Border Police to thwart terrorism, adding that it was searching for weapons and interrogating dozens of suspects. Residents were told they could leave through designated exits.
Families reported being ordered from their homes at gunpoint on Saturday morning from the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba and Shi'b al-Milh. Some residents were told they could not return for six months to a year.
Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, said the military distributed a map designating homes for evacuation and that soldiers beat one man during the process. He said he packed small bags with medicines, chargers and documents, adding, "We didn't sleep all night."
The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to open shelters, including family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, the Korean Centre and other facilities. The municipality also established an operations center to monitor residents' needs.
Israeli forces imposed closures on main entrances and roads around Hebron, raided homes, and arrested at least 13 Palestinians in the city, with dozens more detained for field interrogations. Local sources also reported that around seven dunums of land in Farsh al-Hawa were leveled, affecting residential and commercial structures.
The military operation and closure remained active across various parts of the city as of Saturday, with al-Qawasmi warning that continued expansion of the operation could exhaust the capacity of the shelters already opened.
