Hebron families forced out of homes after checkpoint shooting

Two soldiers died and three others were wounded in a shooting near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron on Friday. The attack triggered a large-scale military operation that has forced hundreds of Palestinian families from their homes. The Israeli military described the campaign as an effort to thwart terrorism and dismantle infrastructure linked to the attackers. Two suspected assailants, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by military fire during the initial engagement. The operation has now expanded to several neighborhoods, displacing residents with little warning and leaving them without a clear timeline for return.

The Hebron Municipality reported that approximately 250 families have been forced to leave their residences so far. Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi noted that this number is not final. He stated that the military began its operation around midnight, giving residents only one hour to vacate their homes. The evacuation included adults and children. Qawasmi said the figure could rise as the military siege continues and more areas are targeted.

Families were ordered out of the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh on Saturday morning. Residents described being ordered from their homes at gunpoint with limited time to gather belongings. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, said he and his family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents. They waited anxiously in their building while soldiers forced neighbors out. Shahada said, "We watched them forcing families out of their homes; they even beat one of the men." His family stayed in their building until further notice, though they were not told when they could return.

The military directed evacuated families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Some residents stayed with relatives. Others sought shelter at facilities opened by the municipality, including the Child Happiness Centre, family guesthouses, and the Korean Centre. Soldiers told some families they would be kept out of their homes for six months to a year. Other residents were told only "until further notice." Shahada expressed concern about the condition of his home, noting that he saw neighboring houses left with doors and windows wide open, appearing ransacked and vandalized.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were levelled. The area contained residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. Main entrances and roads were blocked. Forces raided homes, conducted searches, and carried out arrests across the city.

Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city. Dozens more were detained for several hours and subjected to field interrogations. The Israeli military said it was conducting searches to locate weapons and interrogating dozens of suspects. The operation focused on the area from which the alleged attackers had operated. The military stated that residents could leave through designated exits.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response to the operation. This includes preparing shelters for displaced families and establishing an operations center to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of the opened centers could lead to a shelter crisis if the operation expands. The military operation had not ended as of Saturday, with forces remaining deployed across various parts of the city. The closure extended to the entrances and gateways of Hebron, restricting movement throughout the area.