Israeli troops leave Hebron after 11 days, leaving homes ransacked
The military blockade ended Monday, but residents face damaged homes and lost livelihoods.
By Malik Salazar ·
Twelve million shekels in direct business losses were recorded every day during the 11 day military operation in Hebron. The Israeli army ended its assault on the city on Monday, concluding a campaign that began on October 23.
The operation followed a shooting incident in which two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians were killed. In response, Israeli forces imposed a total blockade on the city. They sealed the entrances, closed major roads, and displaced hundreds of families.
Abbas Mujahid, a resident of the al-Jalda neighbourhood, was forced to leave his home with his family of seven. When he returned after the blockade lifted, he found the house severely vandalised. Wooden doors and the main iron entrance had been torn off their hinges. Soldiers had left human excrement throughout the rooms, and window frames had been ripped out.
"We found all the wooden doors, as well as the main iron door, torn off their hinges," Mujahid said. He added that gypsum decorations were smashed and light fixtures were broken. He is now hiring workers to repair the walls and doors. He estimated the cost at tens of thousands of shekels.
The economic impact extended to commercial zones. Iyad al-Qawasmi owned a used vehicle parts business in Farsh al-Hawa. Soldiers gave him one hour to evacuate his three dunum facility before demolishing it. They seized at least 400 vehicles and other equipment. Al-Qawasmi estimated his total losses at 2.5 million shekels. The business employed at least ten people, cutting off income for roughly 70 Palestinians.
"My only 'guilt', the only reason my facility was demolished, is that I am Palestinian," al-Qawasmi said. He noted that the facility is not near the site of the shooting incident. He remains barred from accessing the land to retrieve remaining belongings.
Unicef reported on October 30 that 483 families, comprising 4,304 people, had been displaced. This group included 1,845 children. The Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that 327 commercial establishments were shut down and 15 facilities were destroyed. At least 15 homes and facilities were demolished, including three residential properties.
Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Jabari said a government committee is now assessing the damage. Engineers are visiting affected homes to document losses. The mayor estimated damage to municipal facilities and utility networks at around six million shekels. He said it will take at least a month to restore the city to its normal state.
