2,200 residents evicted from Hebron as city entrances close

Approximately 2,200 Palestinians were forced from their homes in the West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, according to Mayor Yousef Jaabari. Israeli forces closed every entrance to the city, preventing residents from entering or leaving. The displacement affected neighborhoods including Deir Bahala and al-Jalda, which together cover about 330 dunams and contain more than 490 housing units. Among those displaced were elderly people, women, and children.

The eviction order followed a shooting incident that occurred early on Friday. Two suspected Palestinians fired on Israeli troops near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, located west of Hebron. Two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in the attack. Jaabari described the subsequent military measures as collective punishment. The mayor stated that Hebron is now a disaster zone due to the total blockade of city entrances.

On Saturday evening, the Palestinian Information Centre reported that Israeli forces detained at least 40 Palestinians. Military units also demolished businesses and residential buildings as part of the ongoing crackdown. Residents reported that soldiers gave families only five minutes to leave their homes. Video footage shared on social media showed local truck drivers coordinating efforts to remove goods and supplies from factories before those structures were destroyed.

The municipality has stepped in to manage the crisis. Jaabari announced that officials declared a state of emergency to address the needs of the displaced population. A crisis hotline was established to assist residents seeking help. The mayor’s office is currently monitoring the situation to provide shelter and support to those who have lost their homes.

Following the Friday shooting, Israeli forces also shut down the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as a Palestinian World Heritage Site. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs confirmed that staff and custodians were removed from the location. Jaabari noted that no prayers are being held at the mosque, and Israeli forces have banned the call to prayer. The site, administered by Palestinians for more than 1,400 years, has faced increasing restrictions in recent months, including limitations on Muslim worshippers and facilitation of settler access.

Jaabari questioned the timing of the military actions. He accused far-right members of the Israeli government of using the city and the mosque as a tool for election publicity. The mayor said certain ministers are contesting elections in the coming days and are utilizing the residents and their homes for political advantage.

The closure of the Ibrahimi Mosque marks a recent shift in control over the site. In previous months, Israel added restrictions that barred some Muslim worshippers and limited the call to prayer. These changes occurred alongside efforts to facilitate settler incursions into the area, which is considered holy in Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.