Israeli forces evict 250 Hebron families after checkpoint killings

Residents in four West Bank neighborhoods woke up on Saturday morning to find their homes surrounded by Israeli soldiers. Many families were ordered out within one hour, leaving with only medicine, phone chargers, and essential documents. They now live with relatives or in emergency shelters while officials assess the damage to their properties.

The eviction follows a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded in the attack. The two suspected Palestinian attackers, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by Israeli military fire during the engagement. The Israeli military described the subsequent sweep as an operation to thwart terrorism, coordinating with the Shin Bet internal security service and Border Police.

The military stated that forces were conducting searches to dismantle what it called terrorist infrastructure and locate weapons. Dozens of suspects were interrogated during the operation. The military said the focus was on the specific area where the alleged attackers had operated. It instructed residents that they could leave through designated exits if they chose to vacate their homes.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, told Middle East Eye that the operation began around midnight. He said the military gave residents one hour to vacate their homes. The evacuation included adults and children, and residents were not permitted to remain in the targeted zone. Qawasmi said approximately 250 families have been forced to leave so far. He noted that this figure is not final because the military siege is ongoing and more families may be ordered out.

The affected neighborhoods include al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. The al-Jalada neighborhood is home to the families of the two alleged perpetrators of the Friday shooting. Residents described being ordered from their homes at gunpoint with little time to gather belongings. Some families reported that soldiers beat one man during the incursion.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the area, said the military stormed the neighborhood shortly after the Friday attack. Soldiers took up positions near the Joba family homes and distributed a map designating specific buildings for evacuation. Shahada said his family watched from their windows as other families were forced out. They packed small bags with essentials and did not sleep all night. Soldiers directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street.

The military told some families they would be kept out of their homes for six months to a year. For others, including Shahada’s family, soldiers said only that they were out until further notice. Shahada said his family is worried about the fate of their home after seeing neighbors’ houses left with doors and windows wide open. He described the homes as being ransacked and vandalized by soldiers.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled, targeting residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces also imposed a broad closure on the city of Hebron and its surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. Main entrances and roads were blocked while forces raided homes and conducted arrests.

Local sources said at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city. Dozens of others were detained for several hours and subjected to field interrogations. The Hebron Municipality announced the activation of an emergency plan in response. The plan includes preparing shelters for displaced families and establishing an operations center to monitor residents' needs.

The municipality opened several facilities to accommodate those affected, including family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre. Qawasmi warned that a shelter crisis could occur if the military operation continues and expands. He said the current capacity of the opened centers is limited. The military operation has not ended, and the closure extends to the entrances and gateways of Hebron, with forces continuing to be deployed across various parts of the city.