Israel Imposes Comprehensive Siege on Hebron and Displaces Over 2,000 Palestinians Following Checkpoint Attack

Israeli occupation forces have imposed a comprehensive siege on the city of Hebron and announced a large-scale military operation following an attack carried out by two Palestinians on an Israeli military checkpoint in the Farsh al-Hawa area on Friday, which resulted in the death of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to others.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also oversees West Bank affairs in the Defense Ministry, ordered the demolition of a three-story building and industrial facilities in the Farsh al-Hawa area. City officials reported that the number of forcibly displaced Palestinians exceeded 2,000, with minors and infants comprising nearly half of them, in addition to 81 pregnant women and 204 elderly persons.

Fahad Ahmaro was forced to leave his home with his family. He told Al Jazeera: "We left with only our clothes. Our savings, our belongings, and our documents are all in the house. I tried to return after getting my family to safety, but I couldn't. It is no longer safe."

Palestinian authorities in Hebron declared a state of emergency and formed a crisis committee comprising government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations. The effects of the siege, which affects approximately one million Palestinians in the city and its surroundings, extended to education, with higher education institutions in Hebron shifting to remote learning for 18,000 students.

In a display of solidarity, a real estate developer named Muhammad Al-Rajjoub opened his apartments in Dura, near Hebron, to receive displaced families, currently hosting three extended families comprising 30 children, and other property owners followed his example. Riyad Khammis, a member of the crisis committee, said: "Hebron is known for its social solidarity and generosity. It was the first to provide assistance during the COVID lockdown and during the war on Gaza, and when our neighbors needed help, we all came together."