Israeli troops evict 250 Hebron families in one-hour order after checkpoint killings

Israeli military forces evicted approximately 250 Palestinian families from their homes in Hebron on Saturday morning following a deadly shooting at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi stated that troops began the operation around midnight and gave residents only one hour to vacate their dwellings. The displacement covers four specific neighborhoods: al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh.

The military action followed a Friday incident near the checkpoint where two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded. Israeli forces also killed two suspected Palestinian attackers during the confrontation. The army described the subsequent sweep as an operation to thwart terrorism, noting it involved the Shin Bet and Border Police. Troops searched for weapons and what they termed terrorist infrastructure while interrogating dozens of suspects.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, watched the incursion from his window. He described a large number of soldiers and military vehicles taking positions near the homes of Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, the alleged perpetrators. The military distributed maps designating specific buildings for evacuation. Shahada noted that his family packed only essentials, including medicines and documents, because they did not sleep all night. He reported seeing soldiers beat a man while forcing families out.

Troops directed evacuated families along a route to Al-Salam Street. Some residents moved in with relatives, while others sought refuge at the Child Happiness Centre and other facilities. Shahada said soldiers told his family they could return only until further notice. Other residents were informed they might be kept out of their homes for six months to a year. Shahada expressed concern about the condition of vacant homes, noting he saw neighbors' houses with doors and windows left open and ransacked.

The displacement occurred alongside demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled, targeting residential buildings, commercial 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 in the city, while dozens were detained for field interrogations.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan in response to the operation. This plan includes preparing shelters and establishing an operations centre to monitor residents' needs. Khaled al-Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of open centers could create a crisis if the operation expands. Facilities currently accommodating families include the Childhood Happiness Centre, the Korean Centre, and family guesthouses.

The deputy mayor emphasized that the evacuation included both adults and children. He stated that residents were not permitted to remain in the targeted area. The figure of 250 families is not final, according to Qawasmi, as the military siege continues. He noted that troops remain deployed across various parts of the city and the closure extends to all gateways of Hebron.