Hebron Troops Evict 250 Families

Israeli forces evacuated approximately 250 Palestinian families from four neighborhoods in Hebron following a deadly shooting near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday. The military launched the operation in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police, describing it as a measure to thwart terrorism. Two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in the attack. The two suspected perpetrators, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by military fire during the subsequent incursion.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that troops began the operation around midnight. Residents were given one hour to vacate their homes. Al-Qawasmi noted that the count of 250 families is not final because the military siege is ongoing. He warned that the operation could expand, potentially increasing the number of displaced residents.

The evacuations targeted the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Al-Jalada is home to the families of the two men killed in the checkpoint shooting. Residents reported that soldiers ordered them out at gunpoint. Many had little time to gather belongings and received no clear timeline for their return.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the area, said his family packed essentials such as medicines and documents while watching from their windows. He observed soldiers beating one man during the incursion. The military directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Some residents stayed with relatives, while others moved to shelters opened by the municipality.

Soldiers told some families they would be out of their homes for six months to a year. Others were given the vague instruction to wait until further notice. Shahada said his family could not stop worrying about their property after seeing neighbors' homes ransacked with doors and windows left open.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled, affecting residential and commercial structures. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and surrounding villages. They blocked main entrances and roads while conducting raids and arrests.

At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, and dozens were detained for field interrogations. The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response. The plan includes preparing shelters and establishing an operations center to monitor resident needs. Municipal officials are concerned that limited shelter capacity may be strained if the military operation continues.

The Hebron Municipality opened several facilities to accommodate displaced families. These include family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre. Al-Qawasmi said the military operation had not ended as of Saturday. Troops remain deployed across various parts of the city, and the closure extends to all main gateways.