Hebron Mayor Orders Shelter for 2,200 Residents After Full City Lockdown

Roughly 2,200 residents were forced from their homes in Hebron, according to Mayor Yousef Jaabari, who declared a state of emergency on Saturday evening. The municipality has moved to provide shelter for the displaced and established a crisis hotline to assist those affected by the rapid clearance of the city’s western neighborhoods.

The displacement followed a violent escalation that began early Friday. Suspected Palestinians fired on Israeli troops near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, located west of Hebron. Two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in the incident. In response, Israeli forces moved to close every entrance to the city, effectively sealing Hebron from the outside world.

By Saturday evening, the occupation had locked down the area, preventing entry or exit. Jaabari described the situation as a disaster zone, labeling the measures as collective punishment. The eviction orders targeted specific districts, including Deir Bahala and al-Jalda. These areas contain approximately 490 housing units spread across 330 dunams. Residents in these zones, including elderly people, women, and children, were given just five minutes to leave their properties.

The Palestinian Information Centre reported that at least 40 Palestinians were detained on Saturday. Forces also demolished businesses and residential structures as part of the crackdown. Local video footage showed Palestinian truck drivers coordinating efforts to remove goods from factories before the buildings were destroyed. The municipality is currently managing the logistics of sheltering the thousands of residents who lost their homes overnight.

The military action extended to the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. Israeli forces shut the mosque and removed its staff and custodians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs. Jaabari confirmed that prayers have halted and that forces banned the call to prayer. The site has been administered by Palestinians for more than 1,400 years, but Israel has recently imposed new restrictions, including barring Muslim worshippers and facilitating settler access.

Jaabari questioned the timing of the intensified security measures. He accused far-right members of the Israeli government of using the crisis for political gain. The mayor stated that certain ministers contesting elections in the coming days were using Hebron and its residents as a platform for free election publicity.

The city remains under full siege as of Saturday night. No new information has been released regarding the duration of the lockdown or the specific criteria for residents to return to their cleared neighborhoods.