Hebron Deputy Mayor: 250 Families Displaced After Midnight Military Order

The city of Hebron has been under a broad military closure since Friday, with forces stationed at main entrances and roads leading into the urban center. The blockade extends beyond the specific neighborhoods targeted by recent operations and includes surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps.

Israeli forces began an operation in Hebron around midnight on Saturday, ordering approximately 250 families to vacate their homes within one hour. Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that the order applied to adults and children alike, and residents were not permitted to remain in the designated zones. The affected areas include the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh.

The military launched the action after a shooting incident near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city on Friday. Two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in the attack. The military identified the two suspected attackers as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, who were killed by Israeli fire during the operation. The army described the initiative as an effort to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and locate weapons in the area where the attackers operated.

Residents in the targeted zones reported being ordered from their homes at gunpoint. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the al-Jalada neighborhood, described the arrival of a large number of soldiers accompanied by military vehicles shortly after the initial attack. The military distributed maps indicating which homes and adjacent buildings were subject to evacuation. Shahada and his family remained in their building, packing small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents while watching other families being forced out.

Soldiers directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Some residents moved in with relatives, while others sought shelter at the Child Happiness Centre. The municipality had opened this facility, along with family guesthouses and the Korean Centre, to accommodate those displaced by the operation. Shahada noted that soldiers told some families they would be kept out of their homes for six months to a year, while others were given the vague instruction to wait until further notice.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in the Farsh al-Hawa area. Local sources reported that approximately seven dunums of land were leveled, affecting residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. During the closure, Israeli forces raided homes, conducted searches, and carried out arrests. Local sources indicated that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, while dozens were detained for field interrogations lasting several hours.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response to the operation. This plan involves preparing shelters for families forced to leave and establishing an operations center to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that the number of displaced families is not final. He noted that the ongoing military siege creates the possibility that more families may be evacuated, which could strain the limited capacity of the open shelters.

The military operation remains active, and the closure continues across the city. The army stated that residents could leave through designated exits during the operation. The municipality is monitoring the situation as concerns grow that the scope of the evacuations may expand further.

Qawasmi said the evacuation included both adults and children. He emphasized that the figure of 250 families represents those displaced so far, acknowledging that the number may rise as the military maintains its presence in the area. The operation is being conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police.