Hebron Families Given One Hour to Vacate Homes After Checkpoint Attack

The Israeli military launched a large-scale operation in Hebron following a Friday shooting at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint that left two soldiers dead and three others wounded.

Forces from the army, the Shin Bet, and the Border Police entered the city to dismantle what officials described as terrorist infrastructure. The two suspected attackers, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed during the engagement.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that the military began the operation around midnight. He said residents were given one hour to vacate their homes and were not permitted to remain in the targeted area.

As of Saturday, approximately 250 families have been forced to leave. Qawasmi noted that this number is not final, as the military siege continues and more evacuations are possible.

Evictions took place in the neighbourhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Residents described being ordered out at gunpoint with little time to gather belongings.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, said soldiers stormed the area shortly after the Friday attack. He described watching from his window as families were forced out, with one man being beaten by soldiers.

Shahada and his family packed small bags containing medicines, phone chargers, and documents. They waited all night without sleep, unsure of when they could return. Soldiers directed them along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street.

Some families moved in with relatives, while others sought shelter at the Child Happiness Centre, which the municipality opened for displaced residents. Soldiers told some families they would be kept out for six months to a year, while others received no specific timeline.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to prepare shelters and established an operations centre to monitor residents' needs. Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of opened centres could lead to a crisis if the operation expands.

The displacement coincided with demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa, where local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were levelled. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and surrounding villages, blocking main entrances and roads.

At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, and dozens were detained for field interrogations. The military operation remains ongoing, with forces deployed across various parts of the city.