250 Families Ordered Out of Hebron Homes After Checkpoint Killings

Israeli military forces have displaced approximately 250 families from their homes in Hebron following a shooting incident near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday. Two soldiers were killed and three others wounded in the attack, which triggered a military operation described as a measure to thwart terrorism. The operation, conducted in coordination with the Shin Bet internal security service and the Border Police, has resulted in the forced evacuation of residents from four distinct neighbourhoods in the West Bank city.

Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi stated that the military initiated the operation around midnight, giving residents a single hour to leave their residences. He confirmed that the evacuation included both adults and children, with no permission granted for residents to remain in the targeted zones. Qawasmi noted that the figure of 250 families is not final, as the ongoing military siege may lead to further displacements. The affected areas include the neighbourhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh.

The al-Jalada neighbourhood is home to the families of the two suspected attackers, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. Israeli forces killed the two men after they reportedly killed the soldiers and wounded others during the initial engagement. The army stated it was conducting searches to dismantle what it called terrorist infrastructure and recover weapons while interrogating dozens of suspects. Residents reported that soldiers entered the area shortly after the Friday morning attack, positioning military vehicles near the Joba family homes and distributing maps that designated specific buildings for evacuation.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident who remained in his building during the incursion, described watching soldiers force neighbours out at gunpoint. He recalled that soldiers beat one man and directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street. Shahada and his family packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents, waiting anxiously without sleeping through the night. The soldiers told his family they could return only when further notice was given, while informing some other households that they would be kept out for six months to a year.

Evacuated families have sought refuge in the homes of relatives or at facilities opened by the Hebron Municipality. These shelters include the Child Happiness Centre, the Korean Centre, and several family guesthouses. The municipality announced the activation of an emergency plan to monitor residents' needs and prepare additional shelters in case the scope of evacuations expands. Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of the current centres could lead to a shelter crisis if the military operation continues to widen.

The displacement has occurred alongside demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa, where local sources reported that approximately seven dunums of land were levelled. This area includes residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities. Israeli forces also imposed a broad closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages, towns, and refugee camps. Main entrances and roads were blocked while soldiers conducted raids, searches, and arrests across the city.

Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested during the operation, while dozens were detained for several hours for field interrogations. The military operation has not concluded, and the closure extends beyond the targeted evacuation zones to the main gateways of Hebron. Qawasmi stated that Israeli forces remain deployed across various parts of the city as the operation continues.