Thousands displaced as Israeli forces raid Hebron

Israeli military forces have forced more than 3,100 Palestinians to leave their homes in Hebron, the most populous city in the occupied West Bank.

The displacement began after a shooting on Friday in which two Israeli soldiers were killed. In response, Israel imposed a total lockdown and launched a military operation named Roar of Judah. The campaign involved home raids, arrests, and widespread demolitions. Yousef al-Jabari, the city mayor, stated that 488 families were forced to evacuate. Among the displaced are over 1,000 children, along with elderly residents, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic illnesses.

Mayar Amrish, 23, was preparing for her wedding in the Farsh al-Hawa neighborhood when soldiers surrounded her family home. The three-storey building had been threatened with demolition for years because it stands in Area C, which is under Israeli administrative control. The family had spent approximately 30,000 shekels, or $9,600, on legal fees and fines to protect the property. Although a court had recently suspended the demolition order, bulldozers arrived and razed the home to the ground. The structure, which cost around 2 million shekels to build, was destroyed before the seven-member family could remove their furniture. Amrish's parents lost consciousness while watching the demolition. The family is currently staying with her uncle.

Hamza Shabana, 33, fled his home in the Ein Deir Baha district at dawn on Saturday. Soldiers surrounded his eight-storey building, which housed at least 160 people, and used loudspeakers to order residents to leave. Shabana said his family took only two days' worth of clothing. He has been moving between relatives' homes since then. The Support and Relief Committee reported that 177 displaced families have nowhere safe to stay, while 198 are staying with relatives and 19 have found rented accommodation.

The military operation has disrupted the local economy. The Commission Against the Wall and Settlements noted that forces damaged seven dunums of land and destroyed commercial premises, including a tile company and auto parts stores. Abdo Idris, head of the Hebron Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, estimated that economic damage has already reached millions of shekels. He warned that losses could rise into the tens of millions. The city’s population was approximately 874,000 at the end of 2025. Closures have prevented factories from operating and blocked the movement of goods. Israel’s defence minister said displaced residents would not be allowed to return until Hamas infrastructure in the city was dismantled.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club reported that 47 Palestinians have been arrested since the operation began. Hundreds more have faced field interrogations. The municipality is working with economic authorities to assess the damage, though the ongoing siege has limited access to some affected areas.