Hebron Sealed Off as 2,200 Residents Face Eviction

The West Bank city of Hebron is currently cut off from the outside world, with thousands of residents displaced in the wake of a violent confrontation at a military checkpoint.

Israeli troops closed every entrance to the city on Saturday, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. Mayor Yousef Jaabari described the situation as a disaster zone and characterized the actions as collective punishment following the previous day's shooting.

The incident occurred early Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. Two suspected Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli troops, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. In response, forces evicted approximately 2,200 people from the Deir Bahala and al-Jalda neighborhoods, an area comprising about 330 dunams and over 490 housing units. Residents reported that soldiers gave families only five minutes to leave their homes.

The Palestinian Information Centre stated that at least 40 Palestinians were detained on Saturday evening. During the crackdown, Israeli forces demolished various businesses and residential buildings. Social media videos captured Palestinian truck drivers racing to remove goods and supplies from factories before the structures were torn down.

The municipality declared a state of emergency and established a crisis hotline to assist displaced families. Jaabari said local officials are actively monitoring the situation and arranging shelter for those who lost their homes. He also criticized the timing of the measures, accusing far-right government members of using the city and its residents as free election publicity for ministers running in upcoming contests.

Israeli forces also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, a World Heritage Site administered by Palestinians for more than 1,400 years. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs confirmed that staff and custodians were removed from the site. No prayers are currently being held, and the call to prayer has been banned. This move follows recent months of increased Israeli control over the location, which includes restrictions on Muslim worshippers and facilitation of settler visits.