Hebron sealed off after checkpoint deaths
Israeli forces closed all city entrances and evicted 2,200 residents following the killing of two soldiers on Friday.
By Karim Ramirez ·
Israeli military units blocked every access point to Hebron on Saturday, isolating the West Bank city from the rest of the region.
Mayor Yousef Jaabari reported that approximately 2,200 Palestinian residents were removed from their homes in Deir Bahala, al-Jalda, and surrounding districts. The affected area spans roughly 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units. Jaabari stated that the city is now a disaster zone with no one able to enter or leave.
The closure followed an incident early Friday morning near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. Two suspected Palestinians fired on Israeli troops, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. Jaabari described the subsequent military actions as collective punishment.
The Palestinian Information Centre noted that Israeli forces detained at least 40 people on Saturday evening. Demolition crews also tore down businesses and residential structures during the crackdown. Residents said soldiers gave families only five minutes to vacate their properties. Social media videos captured Palestinian truck drivers removing goods from factories before the buildings were destroyed.
The municipality declared a state of emergency to manage the displacement. Jaabari said the office is monitoring details and has established a crisis hotline for affected families. The mayor also noted that Israeli forces shut the Ibrahimi Mosque, an Unesco World Heritage Site, and removed its staff. No prayers are currently being held, and the call to prayer has been banned. The ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs confirmed the site is closed, ending a period of Palestinian administration that has lasted more than 1,400 years.
In recent months, Israel has increased control over the mosque, restricting Muslim worshippers and allowing settler access. Jaabari criticized the timing of these measures, suggesting far-right Israeli politicians are using the situation for election publicity. He noted that several ministers are contesting elections in the coming days.
Source: Middle East Eye
