Hebron: 250 Families Displaced After Checkpoint Shooting
Deputy mayor says military gave residents one hour to leave their homes in four neighborhoods following the deaths of two soldiers.
By Thiago Kovalenko ·
Israeli military forces have displaced approximately 250 families from their homes in Hebron. Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, confirmed this figure on Saturday morning. He noted that the number is not final because the military operation is ongoing.
The displacement followed a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three were wounded in the attack. The military stated that two suspected Palestinian attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed by fire. The army launched what it called an operation to thwart terrorism in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police.
Al-Qawasmi said soldiers began the operation around midnight. They gave residents one hour to vacate their homes. The order included both adults and children. Residents were not permitted to remain in the targeted area. The military focused its search on the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh.
Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, described the scene. He said soldiers and military vehicles took positions near the homes of the Joba family. The military distributed maps designating specific buildings for evacuation. Shahada and his family watched from their windows as soldiers forced neighbors out. They packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents. The family waited until the next morning for instructions.
Soldiers directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Some residents stayed with relatives. Others went to the Child Happiness Centre, which the municipality opened for shelter. The military told some families they would be out of their homes for six months to a year. It told Shahada and his family only that they could return until further notice. He expressed concern about the condition of their home, noting that neighbors had found their houses ransacked with doors and windows left open.
The military imposed a broad closure on Hebron and surrounding villages. Forces blocked main entrances and roads. Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested. Dozens more were detained for field interrogations. Demolitions also occurred in Farsh al-Hawa. Approximately seven dunums of land were levelled, affecting residential buildings, shops, and industrial facilities.
The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response. It established an operations center to monitor resident needs. The city opened several shelters, including family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre. Al-Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of these centers could lead to a crisis if the operation expands. The military operation had not ended as of Saturday, with forces continuing to be deployed across the city.
