Hebron deputy mayor says 250 families displaced by military operation

Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that approximately 250 families have been forced from their homes following a military operation launched in the city. The displacement occurred in four specific neighborhoods: al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Qawasmi noted that the figure is not final because the military siege remains active. He warned that the number of displaced residents could rise if the operation expands.

The evictions began on Saturday morning. Soldiers directed residents along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. From there, families moved into the homes of relatives or entered shelters. The Hebron Municipality opened several facilities to accommodate the displaced, including the Childhood Happiness Centre, family guesthouses, and the Korean Centre. Qawasmi said the military gave residents one hour to vacate their properties.

The operation followed a shooting on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron. Israeli forces reported that two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in the attack. The military announced that it had killed the two suspected attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. The army described the subsequent sweep as an operation to thwart terrorism, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, said Israeli forces stormed the area shortly after the Friday attack. He described seeing soldiers take positions near the homes of the Joba family. The military distributed a map designating which buildings required evacuation. Shahada and his family stayed in their building and packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents. He said they did not sleep all night while watching soldiers force other families out.

Shahada reported that soldiers beat one of the men during the incursion. The family was told to leave until further notice. Some other residents were informed they would be kept out of their homes for six months to a year. Shahada said his family is concerned about the condition of their property, noting that they saw neighbors' houses left with open doors and windows, appearing ransacked and vandalized.

Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in Hebron. Dozens more were detained for several hours and subjected to field interrogations. The Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on the city and its surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. Main entrances and roads were blocked. The military continued raids and searches across various parts of the city.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources said around seven dunums of land were levelled. The destruction targeted residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response. This included preparing shelters and establishing an operations centre to monitor residents' needs.

The military stated it was conducting searches to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure and weapons. It said the operation was focused on the area from which the alleged attackers had operated. Residents were allowed to leave through designated exits. The army said it was interrogating dozens of suspects.

The operation began around midnight, according to Qawasmi. He said the evacuation included both adults and children. Residents were not permitted to remain in the targeted area. The closure extended beyond the immediate site of the shooting to the entrances and gateways of Hebron. Israeli forces remained deployed across the city as of the latest reports.

The municipality opened the shelters to manage the influx of displaced families. Qawasmi expressed concern about the limited capacity of the centres if the military operation continues. He said the crisis in finding shelter would worsen if more families are evacuated. The military operation has not ended, and the closure remains in place.