Hebron families told to leave within an hour after checkpoint shooting

Residents of Hebron were ordered out of their homes with one hour to spare after a shooting killed two Israeli soldiers near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint.

The evacuation began around midnight on Saturday, following a Friday attack in which two soldiers died and three were wounded. The Israeli military stated it launched an operation to thwart terrorism in coordination with the Shin Bet and Border Police. Two suspected Palestinian attackers were killed during the initial incident. The army said it was searching for weapons and dismantling terrorist infrastructure while interrogating dozens of suspects.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a resident of the al-Jalada neighborhood, watched from his window as soldiers took positions near the homes of the alleged attackers, Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba. The military distributed a map identifying which buildings needed to be cleared. Shahada said he and his family packed small bags with medicines, phone chargers, and documents without sleeping all night. He recalled seeing soldiers beat a man while forcing families out of their homes. The troops directed residents toward Al-Salam Street, leaving the neighborhood's doors and windows open and ransacked.

Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi confirmed that approximately 250 families have been displaced so far. He noted that this number is not final because the military siege is ongoing. The evacuations covered the neighborhoods of al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Some families were told they could not return for six months to a year, while others were given no timeline beyond an order to stay out until further notice. The operation included both adults and children, and residents were not allowed to remain in the targeted area.

The displacement occurred alongside demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa, where local sources reported about seven dunums of land were leveled. Israeli forces imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and roads while raiding homes. At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, and dozens were detained for hours for field interrogations. The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to monitor residents' needs and prepare shelters.

Families displaced in the first wave sought refuge with relatives or moved into facilities opened by the municipality. These centers include family guesthouses, the Childhood Happiness Centre, and the Korean Centre. Qawasmi warned that the limited capacity of these centers could lead to a shelter crisis if the military operation expands. The closure extends to the entrances and gateways of Hebron, with forces deployed across various parts of the city.

The operation has not ended as of the latest reports. The municipality is working to accommodate those affected while the military continues its search and arrest activities in the city.