250 Hebron Families Evicted as Military Sweeps City Following Checkpoint Killings

Israel’s military has forcibly removed approximately 250 Palestinian families from their homes in Hebron following a deadly shooting at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. The operation began on Friday after two soldiers were killed and three others wounded in an attack west of the city. Israeli forces described the action as an effort to thwart terrorism, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police. The two suspected attackers, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by military fire during the incursion.

The timeline of the displacement moved quickly. The shooting occurred on Friday morning, prompting immediate military movement into the area. By Saturday morning, families in the al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh neighborhoods were ordered out. Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that soldiers gave residents only one hour to vacate their homes. He noted that the evacuation included adults and children who were not permitted to remain in the targeted zones.

Residents described the process as chaotic and aggressive. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a local resident, said soldiers stormed the area shortly after the initial attack. He recounted how his family packed small bags with medicines and documents while waiting anxiously in their building. Shahada reported that soldiers beat one man while forcing families to leave. The military directed displaced people along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street, where they could stay with relatives or move into municipal shelters.

The duration of the displacement remains uncertain for many families. While some residents were told they could stay out for six months to a year, others were given no specific timeline. Soldiers used the phrase 'until further notice' when questioned about return dates. This ambiguity has created anxiety among the displaced, particularly after neighbors reported seeing their open homes ransacked and vandalized by troops conducting searches.

The military operation has expanded beyond the immediate evacuation zones. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and surrounding villages. During this period, troops raided homes and arrested at least 13 Palestinians, while dozens more were detained for field interrogations. Local sources also reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled in Farsh al-Hawa, affecting residential buildings and commercial shops.

In response to the growing number of displaced people, the Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan. Officials opened several facilities to accommodate the families, including the Childhood Happiness Centre, family guesthouses, and the Korean Centre. An operations center was established to monitor the needs of residents and track the flow of evacuees. The municipality is currently managing the logistics of housing for those who have been forced to leave their primary residences.

The situation on the ground is still evolving as the military operation continues. Qawasmi warned that the current shelter capacity is limited. He stated that if the operation expands further, the city could face a crisis in finding adequate space for additional families. The figure of 250 displaced families is not considered final, and more evacuations are possible as the siege on the city’s entrances remains in effect.