Hebron Military Orders 250 Families From Homes After Checkpoint Attack

Israeli forces ordered approximately 250 families to leave their homes in Hebron on Saturday morning. The evacuations followed a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, where two soldiers were killed and three others wounded. The two suspected Palestinian attackers were also killed during the engagement, according to the Israeli military.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, the deputy mayor of Hebron, stated that the military began the operation around midnight. Residents were given one hour to vacate their homes and were not permitted to remain in the area. The order covered the al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh neighborhoods. Qawasmi noted that the figure of 250 families is not final as the military siege continues.

The al-Jalada neighborhood is home to the families of the two alleged perpetrators, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. Israeli forces stormed the area shortly after the initial attack. Soldiers distributed maps designating specific buildings for evacuation and directed residents along a route toward Al-Salam Street. Some families moved in with relatives, while others took shelter at the Child Happiness Centre and other facilities opened by the municipality.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the affected area, described watching the incursion from his window. He said soldiers beat one man while forcing families out. His family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents but did not sleep. The soldiers told his family they could return 'until further notice,' though other residents were told they would be kept out for six months to a year.

The displacement occurred alongside demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled, affecting residential buildings, shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages, blocking main entrances and roads. At least 13 Palestinians were arrested, and dozens were detained for field interrogations.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to prepare shelters and establish an operations centre. Qawasmi warned that if the operation expands, the limited capacity of current shelters could lead to a crisis. The military stated it was conducting searches to dismantle 'terrorist infrastructure' and interrogating dozens of suspects. The operation is described as a measure to thwart terrorism in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police.