Hebron families given one hour to leave homes after Friday checkpoint shooting

Residents in four Hebron neighborhoods were ordered to leave their homes within one hour early Saturday morning. Deputy Mayor Khaled al-Qawasmi stated that Israeli forces initiated the operation around midnight, allowing residents little time to gather belongings before evacuating the area.

The military action followed a shooting on Friday near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, where two Israeli soldiers were killed and three were wounded. The army described the sweep as an operation to thwart terrorism, conducted with the Shin Bet and Border Police. Two suspected Palestinian attackers, identified as Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, were killed during the initial engagement.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a local resident, said soldiers stormed the al-Jalada neighborhood shortly after the Friday attack. He described watching troops force families out at gunpoint and beat one man. Shahada and his family packed small bags with medicines and chargers but did not sleep all night. The soldiers told them to stay 'until further notice,' while other families were told they might be kept out for six months to a year.

The evacuation covered al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh. Al-Qawasmi confirmed that approximately 250 families have been forced to leave so far, though he noted the figure is not final due to the ongoing military siege. The municipality has opened shelters, including the Childhood Happiness Centre and family guesthouses, to accommodate the displaced.

In parallel with the evacuations, Israeli forces demolished residential and commercial buildings in Farsh al-Hawa. Local sources reported that around seven dunums of land were leveled. A broad closure was imposed on Hebron, blocking main entrances and roads. At least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city, and dozens were detained for field interrogations.

The Hebron Municipality activated an emergency plan to monitor residents' needs. Al-Qawasmi warned that if the military operation expands, the limited capacity of current shelters could lead to a crisis. The military operation remains active, with forces deployed across various parts of the city as of Saturday.

The army said it is continuing searches to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and weapons. Residents in the targeted area are not permitted to remain, and the closure extends to the entrances and gateways of Hebron.