Israeli Forces Force 250 Hebron Families From Homes After Checkpoint Attack

Israeli troops have forced approximately 250 families from their homes in Hebron following a fatal shooting near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint on Friday.

The military stated that the attack left two soldiers dead and three others wounded. In response, the army, the Shin Bet security service, and the Border Police launched a joint operation to search for weapons and dismantle what they described as terrorist infrastructure. Israeli forces killed the two suspected Palestinian attackers during the incursion.

Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, said the operation began around midnight on Saturday. He reported that soldiers gave residents only one hour to vacate their homes. The evacuations covered the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Al-Qawasmi noted that the count of displaced families is not final because the military siege remains in effect.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of al-Jalada, described the scene to Middle East Eye. He said a large number of soldiers and military vehicles positioned themselves near the homes of the Joba family, the relatives of the two alleged attackers. Shahada and his family watched from their windows as troops forced neighbors out. He recalled that soldiers beat one man while compelling families to leave. The family packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents but did not sleep all night.

Soldiers directed displaced families along a specific route to Al-Salam Street. Some residents went to stay with relatives. Others sought shelter in facilities opened by the municipality, including the Child Happiness Centre and the Korean Centre. The military told Shahada's family they could return only until further notice. Other residents received estimates of six months to a year before they could return to their homes.

Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested during the operation. Dozens more were detained for field interrogations. The military also imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and roads. Forces conducted raids and searches throughout the city and its surrounding villages. In the Farsh al-Hawa area, local sources said roughly seven dunums of land were leveled.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to manage the influx of displaced residents. The plan includes preparing additional shelters and establishing an operations center to monitor needs. Al-Qawasmi warned that shelter capacity is limited. He said a crisis could develop if the military operation expands and more families are forced to leave their homes.

Israeli forces continue to be deployed across various parts of the city. The closure extends beyond the targeted neighborhoods to the gateways and entrances of Hebron. The military has not declared the operation over.