250 Hebron families face year-long exile after midnight military sweep

Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that approximately 250 families have been forced from their homes by Israeli military forces. The evacuation began around midnight on Saturday, following a deadly shooting incident near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday. Qawasmi described the situation as an ongoing operation, noting that the figure of 250 families is not final as the military siege continues.

The displacement occurred across four distinct neighborhoods: al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Residents reported receiving one hour to vacate their residences. The military designated specific exits for residents to leave, directing many toward Al-Salam Street. Some families moved in with relatives, while others were housed in municipal facilities, including the Childhood Happiness Centre and the Korean Centre.

The operation followed a shooting on Friday in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded. The military identified the two suspected Palestinian attackers as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. Both were killed by Israeli forces during the incident. The al-Jalada neighborhood, where the Joba family resides, was a primary focus of the military incursion. Soldiers took up positions near the family homes and distributed maps designating buildings for evacuation.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident in the area, said the military stormed the neighborhood shortly after the initial attack. He described watching soldiers force families out at gunpoint. Shahada noted that his family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents after failing to sleep. He reported seeing soldiers beat one of the men during the incursion. His family was told they could return 'until further notice,' while other residents were informed they would be barred from their homes for six months to a year.

The military characterized the action as an operation to thwart terrorism, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police. Forces searched for weapons and 'terrorist infrastructure' while interrogating dozens of suspects. Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, and dozens more were detained for field interrogations. A broad closure was imposed on Hebron and surrounding villages, blocking main entrances and roads.

Demolitions accompanied the evacuation in the Farsh al-Hawa area. Local sources said around seven dunums of land were leveled, targeting residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response, opening shelters and establishing an operations center to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that limited capacity in these centers could create a crisis if the operation expands further.

Residents expressed concern over the condition of their vacated homes. Shahada described seeing neighboring houses left with doors and windows open, ransacked and vandalized by soldiers. The military has not ended the operation, and forces remain deployed across various parts of the city. The closure extends beyond the targeted neighborhoods, affecting the main gateways into Hebron.