Israel Evacuates Hundreds of Palestinian Families from Hebron Following Fatal Shooting Incident
Israeli forces have forcibly evicted hundreds of Palestinian families from their residences across multiple neighborhoods in Hebron following a shooting incident on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. The attack resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others. In response, the Israeli military launched what it termed an "operation to thwart terrorism," coordinating with the Shin Bet internal security service and the Border Police in the West Bank. According to the army, the operation aims to dismantle alleged terrorist infrastructure and locate weapons, while interrogating dozens of suspects. The two suspected Palestinian attackers were also killed by Israeli fire during the initial engagement.
Residents described a chaotic scene where soldiers ordered families out of their homes at gunpoint, providing minimal time to gather belongings. Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the al-Jalada neighborhood, told Middle East Eye that his family watched soldiers storm the area shortly after the Friday morning attack. On Saturday morning, soldiers entered his building and ordered approximately 54 people, mostly children, along with his elderly mother, to leave immediately. Shahada stated that they were given only five minutes to pack essentials such as medicines and documents, while being forbidden from taking clothing or other belongings. Soldiers directed the evacuees with hands behind their heads toward Al-Salam Street, where some sought refuge with relatives and others at the Child Happiness Centre opened by the municipality.
The neighborhoods affected include al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. The al-Jalada area is home to the families of Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, the alleged perpetrators of the shooting who were killed by military fire. Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, informed Middle East Eye that the military began its operation around midnight, giving residents one hour to vacate. He confirmed that approximately 250 families had been forced to leave so far, a figure he noted was not final due to the ongoing siege and potential for further evacuations. Al-Qawasmi warned that if the operation expands, it could trigger a shelter crisis given the limited capacity of existing centers.
Simultaneously, demolitions have targeted residential buildings, commercial shops, and industrial facilities in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron and surrounding areas, blocking main entrances and conducting raids that led to at least 13 arrests and numerous detentions for field interrogations. The Hebron Municipality announced the activation of an emergency plan to monitor residents' needs and prepare additional shelters. Residents expressed anxiety over the fate of their homes, noting that many were left ransacked and vandalized with doors and windows wide open. Some families were told they would be barred from returning for six months to a year, while others received no timeline beyond "until further notice."
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
