Hebron Mayor Reports 2,200 Evacuated as Israeli Forces Seal West Bank
Following the death of two Israeli soldiers, the Israeli government ordered a total lockdown, triggering mass arrests and home demolitions across the territory ahead of October elections.
By Thomas Obasi ·
Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, stated that 2,200 Palestinians have been forced from their homes. This displacement occurred as Israeli military forces implemented a strict lockdown across the occupied West Bank. The crackdown followed an attack on Friday in which two Palestinian gunmen assaulted an Israeli army reserve base. Both gunmen and two Israeli soldiers died in the incident.
Al-Ja'bari told Al Jazeera that hundreds of raids have taken place since the shooting began. He reported that residents received evacuation orders via loudspeakers late at night on Friday. The timing left families with little time to prepare or find alternative shelter. By Saturday, the mayor confirmed that people could neither enter nor leave the city.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank in response to the killings. Israeli forces have conducted operations in at least 15 areas since the order was issued. These locations include Jenin and Nablus in the north, as well as Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, and occupied East Jerusalem in the center. Bethlehem in the south also saw military activity. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these raids.
In Hebron, soldiers targeted Al Jazeera journalists who were documenting an operation to bulldoze homes and vehicles near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. The troops fired a stun grenade at the media team. The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, characterized the military response as collective punishment. The PA cited home demolitions, forced displacement, and the siege of Palestinian cities. It urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect residents, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa.
Hamas issued a statement criticizing the occupation and its settlers. The group said that these campaigns and escalations would only fuel further outrage among the population. The city of Hebron is home to approximately 200,000 Palestinians. Another 600,000 residents live in the surrounding Hebron governorate, making it the most populous area in the West Bank.
Issa Amro, a Hebron-based activist and political analyst, described the situation as a total siege. He noted that all entrances and exits to the governorate have been closed since the morning of the lockdown. Amro stated that there is no safe place to hide inside the city. He added that the population is living in fear.
The military operations are taking place three days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent for Al Jazeera, reported that Israeli politicians are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She observed that Netanyahu, his Likud party, and their right-wing coalition allies are currently trailing in the polls. Odeh suggested that the leadership is presenting a strong front by emphasizing its combat of Palestinians.
Netanyahu addressed the status of the Palestinian Authority during the crisis. He avoided confirming whether he plans to dismantle the governing body. Instead, the prime minister stated that a big surprise awaits the organization.
