Hebron Mayor Orders Emergency Shelter as 2,200 Residents Evicted
Israeli forces sealed all city entrances and removed staff from the Ibrahimi Mosque after two soldiers were killed at a checkpoint.
By Emily Carter ·
Mayor Yousef Jaabari declared a state of emergency in Hebron on Saturday after Israeli forces sealed every entrance to the city. Military units removed approximately 2,200 residents from their homes in the process. Jaabari described the situation as a disaster zone where no one can enter or leave. He characterized the actions as collective punishment following a deadly shooting incident the previous day.
The conflict began early Friday when two suspected Palestinians fired on Israeli troops near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. Two soldiers died in the attack and three others were wounded. In response, Israeli forces moved into specific neighborhoods including Deir Bahala and al-Jalda. The affected zone covers about 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units.
Soldiers gave families in the targeted areas five minutes to vacate their homes. Residents included elderly people, women, and children. The Palestinian Information Centre reported that forces detained at least 40 Palestinians on Saturday evening. Demolition crews destroyed both businesses and residential buildings as part of the crackdown. Social media videos captured truck drivers working together to move goods out of factories before structures were torn down.
The city municipality has taken steps to house the displaced population. Jaabari stated that the office is monitoring every detail to meet the needs of residents. A crisis hotline has been established for people seeking assistance during the evictions. The mayor noted that the measures arrived in a politically sensitive timeframe. He accused far-right members of the Israeli government of using the city and its residents as free election publicity for ministers contesting upcoming elections.
Israeli forces also shut the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as an endangered World Heritage Site. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs confirmed that staff and custodians were removed from the building. Jaabari said no prayers are currently being held and that forces have banned the call to prayer. Palestinians have administered the mosque for more than 1,400 years. Recent months saw Israel add restrictions that include barring Muslim worshippers and facilitating settler incursions.
Source: Middle East Eye
