2,200 Hebron Families Face Five Minute Eviction

Roughly 2,200 Palestinian residents were forced from their homes in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, according to Mayor Yousef Jaabari.

Jaabari told Middle East Eye on Saturday evening that Israeli forces have closed every entrance to the city. He stated that no one can enter or leave, describing the situation as a disaster zone. The mayor characterized the measures as collective punishment imposed after a deadly shooting on Friday.

The initial incident involved two suspected Palestinians firing on Israeli troops at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, located west of the city center. Two soldiers died in the exchange and three others were wounded.

The subsequent evacuations targeted residents of Deir Bahala, al-Jalda, and nearby neighborhoods. The affected area spans approximately 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units. Jaabari noted that the displaced population includes elderly people, women, and children. Residents reported that soldiers gave families only five minutes to pack and depart.

The Palestinian Information Centre stated that at least 40 Palestinians were detained on Saturday evening. Forces also demolished businesses and residential buildings during the crackdown. Social media videos showed Palestinian truck drivers hauling goods and supplies out of factories before military units destroyed the structures.

The Israeli military also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as a Palestinian World Heritage Site. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs said forces removed the mosque’s staff and custodians. Jaabari confirmed that no prayers are being held and that the call to prayer has been banned. The site has been administered by Palestinians for more than 1,400 years.

Jaabari questioned the timing of the closure, accusing far-right members of the Israeli government of using the city for election publicity. He said ministers contesting votes in the coming days were leveraging the situation for political gain. The municipality declared a state of emergency and set up a crisis hotline to assist displaced families.