2,200 Hebron Residents Evicted in Five-Minute Window After City Sealed

Residents of Hebron lost their homes on Saturday after Israeli forces ordered roughly 2,200 people to leave their neighborhoods within five minutes. The city is now fully sealed, with no one permitted to enter or exit, according to Mayor Yousef Jaabari. He described the situation as a disaster zone and labeled the actions collective punishment.

The crackdown began after a violent incident the previous day. Early Friday morning, two suspected Palestinians opened fire on Israeli troops at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city. Two soldiers died and three were wounded in the exchange. In response, forces moved to secure the area, leading to the mass evictions on Saturday.

The evictions targeted residents of Deir Bahala, al-Jalda, and adjacent neighborhoods. The affected zone spans approximately 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units. Jaabari noted that the displaced group includes elderly individuals, women, and children. The Palestinian Information Center reported that at least 40 Palestinians were detained on Saturday evening. Forces also demolished businesses and residential structures during the operation.

Videos circulated on social media showed Palestinian truck drivers rushing to move goods out of factories before the buildings were torn down. The local municipality has stepped in to locate shelter for the displaced families. Jaabari stated that officials are monitoring every detail to meet the needs of those affected.

Israeli forces also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as an endangered World Heritage Site. Staff and custodians were removed from the building, and the call to prayer was banned. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs confirmed the closure. The mosque has been administered by Palestinians for more than 1,400 years, though Israel has increased restrictions in recent months, including barring Muslim worshippers at times.

Jaabari questioned the timing of the military actions. He accused far-right members of the Israeli government of using the city and its residents for political gain ahead of upcoming elections. The mayor said certain ministers contesting in those polls are treating Hebron and its homes as a tool for free publicity.

The municipality has established a crisis hotline to assist people seeking help during the ongoing evictions. Jaabari confirmed that a state of emergency has been declared to coordinate the response. The city remains sealed as of Saturday evening.