Hebron orders 250 families to vacate homes within one hour after fatal checkpoint shooting

Israeli military forces displaced approximately 250 families from their homes in Hebron on Saturday morning, according to Khaled al-Qawasmi, the city’s deputy mayor. The evacuation followed a deadly shooting incident at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday, which left two soldiers dead and three others wounded. Al-Qawasmi stated that soldiers began the operation around midnight, giving residents one hour to leave their properties. He noted that the current count of displaced families is not final, as the military siege remains in effect and further evacuations are possible.

The military described the action as an operation to thwart terrorism, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet and the Border Police. Forces targeted the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. These areas include the residences of Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, the two suspected attackers who were killed by Israeli fire after the shooting. The army reported that it was dismantling terrorist infrastructure and interrogating dozens of suspects, while allowing residents to exit through designated routes.

Residents described the process as abrupt and forceful. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the affected area, said soldiers stormed his neighborhood shortly after the initial attack. His family watched from their windows as military personnel forced neighbors to leave, including beating one man. Shahada and his family packed only essential items, such as medicines and phone chargers, before waiting for instructions. Soldiers directed families toward Al-Salam Street, with some staying with relatives and others moving to the Child Happiness Centre opened by the municipality.

The military told some families they would be barred from returning for six months to a year, while others, including Shahada’s family, were told to stay out until further notice. Shahada expressed concern over the condition of his home, noting that neighbors’ houses were left with doors and windows open and appeared ransacked. Meanwhile, local sources reported that approximately seven dunums of land in Farsh al-Hawa were leveled, affecting residential and commercial buildings. The military also imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding areas, blocking main entrances and roads.

At least 13 Palestinians were arrested during the operation, and dozens more were detained for field interrogations. In response to the displacement, the Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan. This includes preparing shelters and establishing an operations center to monitor residents' needs. Al-Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of opened centers, including family guesthouses and the Korean Centre, could lead to a sheltering crisis if the operation expands. The military operation has not yet ended, and forces remain deployed across various parts of the city.

The municipality is coordinating with the military to manage the flow of displaced families. Al-Qawasmi emphasized that the closure extends beyond the targeted neighborhoods to the city's main gateways. The situation remains fluid as the military continues its search for weapons and suspects. The 250 displaced families are currently housed in a mix of private homes and municipal facilities.