Hebron Mayor Orders Emergency After Forces Evict 2,200 Residents

Residents of Hebron have been forced to leave their homes after Israeli forces closed every entrance to the West Bank city. Mayor Yousef Jaabari said on Saturday evening that the occupation has sealed the area, preventing anyone from entering or exiting. He labeled the situation a disaster zone and described the actions as collective punishment. Families in Deir Bahala, al-Jalda, and surrounding neighborhoods were given only five minutes to vacate their properties. Soldiers detained at least 40 people on Saturday evening while demolishing businesses and residential buildings.

The escalation 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 sustained injuries. The evictions cover an area of approximately 330 dunams containing more than 490 housing units. The displaced group includes elderly individuals, women, and children. The Palestinian Information Centre reported that the crackdown continued through Saturday, with forces removing staff and custodians from the Ibrahimi Mosque.

The Ibrahimi Mosque, an endangered Palestinian World Heritage Site, is now closed to worshippers. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs stated that Israeli forces banned the call to prayer. Jaabari confirmed that no prayers are being held at the site. The mosque has served as a place of worship for over 1,400 years. In recent months, Israeli authorities have added restrictions to the site, including barring some Muslim worshippers and facilitating settler visits.

Jaabari accused far-right members of the Israeli government of using the crisis for political gain. He claimed the measures serve as free election publicity for ministers facing upcoming votes. The municipality has declared a state of emergency to manage the displacement. City officials are monitoring the situation and have established a crisis hotline for residents seeking assistance. Local truck drivers worked together to move supplies out of factories before demolition crews arrived.

The next phase of the crackdown depends on the timeline for the local elections, which occur in the coming days. The municipality will continue to provide shelter for the displaced residents. The Israeli military has not announced a specific date for reopening the city entrances. The Ibrahimi Mosque remains closed under the new restrictions.