Five-Minute Evictions Shake Hebron After Checkpoint Battle

Residents of Hebron faced immediate displacement as Israeli military forces closed every entrance to the occupied West Bank city on Saturday evening. Mayor Yousef Jaabari stated that the blockade prevents anyone from entering or leaving the urban area. He described the current situation as a disaster zone and characterized the actions as collective punishment.

The escalation followed a shooting incident on Friday morning near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Two suspected Palestinians fired on Israeli troops, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. In response, forces targeted the Deir Bahala, al-Jalda, and nearby neighborhoods. These areas cover approximately 330 dunams and contain over 490 housing units.

Local authorities reported that roughly 2,200 Palestinians were forced from their homes. The evictions included elderly residents, women, and children. The Palestinian Information Centre noted that soldiers detained at least 40 people on Saturday evening. Forces also demolished businesses and residential structures during the operation. Residents said military personnel gave families five minutes to vacate their properties.

Social media videos captured Palestinian truck drivers working to remove goods from factories before demolition crews arrived. The city municipality established a crisis hotline and declared a state of emergency to manage the displacement. Jaabari said the local government is monitoring details and securing shelter for those who lost their homes.

Israeli forces also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, a site recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site. The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs confirmed that staff and custodians were removed from the premises. Jaabari reported that no prayers are being held inside the mosque and that authorities banned the call to prayer. The site has been administered by Palestinians for more than 1,400 years and is holy to Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

In recent months, Israel has increased restrictions on the mosque, barring Muslim worshippers and facilitating settler incursions. Jaabari questioned the timing of the latest measures. He accused far-right government members of using the crisis for political gain ahead of upcoming elections. He stated that certain ministers are using Hebron and its residents as free election publicity.