Hebron Deputy Mayor Reports 250 Families Evicted After Checkpoint Shooting

The Hebron Municipality has activated an emergency plan to house approximately 250 families displaced by Israeli military operations in the West Bank city. Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi stated that the figure is not final and could rise as the military siege continues. The city is preparing shelters and establishing an operations center to monitor resident needs amid fears that the scope of evacuations will expand.

The displacement began around midnight on Saturday, following a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded during the attack. The military described the subsequent incursion as an operation to thwart terrorism, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police. Two suspected Palestinian attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by Israeli forces during the operation.

Al-Qawasmi said residents were given one hour to vacate their homes. The order covered four neighborhoods: al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. The al-Jalada neighborhood is home to the families of the two alleged perpetrators. Residents reported being ordered out at gunpoint with little time to gather belongings. Some families were told they would be kept out for six months to a year, while others were told only that they could return until further notice.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident in the affected area, described watching soldiers force families from their homes and beat one man. He and his family remained in their building, packing small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and important documents without sleeping all night. Soldiers directed displaced families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. From there, some stayed with relatives, while others sought shelter at the Child Happiness Centre and other facilities opened by the municipality.

Shahada noted that he did not receive a clear timeline for returning to his home. He observed that neighboring houses were left with doors and windows wide open, appearing ransacked and vandalized. The military stated it was conducting searches to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure and weapons, while interrogating dozens of suspects. The operation focused on the area from which the alleged attackers had operated, and residents were instructed to leave through designated exits.

The forced displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities were targeted. Approximately seven dunums of land were levelled. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. Main entrances and roads were blocked, and forces continued to be deployed across various parts of the city.

In addition to the evacuations, at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city. Dozens of others were detained for several hours and subjected to field interrogations. The military operation had not ended at the time of the municipality's announcement. Al-Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of the opened centers could lead to a shelter crisis if the operation expands further.

The municipality opened family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre to accommodate affected residents. The emergency plan includes the preparation of additional shelters for families forced to leave. The deputy mayor emphasized that the closure extends beyond the targeted area, affecting the main gateways of Hebron. The military maintained its presence in the city, continuing searches and arrests as part of the ongoing operation.