A military siege in Hebron has displaced nearly 5,000 residents. Israeli forces closed city entrances and demolished homes following a deadly shooting incident.
Nearly 5,000 residents left their homes following a strict Israeli military siege in Hebron. This lockdown began on October 23 after two soldiers died in a shooting. The military closed 10 main entrances to the city.
As a result, 780 families now face forced displacement. These residents include hundreds of infants, elderly citizens, and people with chronic illnesses. Many pregnant women and people with disabilities also lost their homes.
Next, the Israeli military cleared a large area west of the city center. This zone spans about 0.35 square kilometers. Troops used loudspeakers to order families out of their houses late at night.
Meanwhile, soldiers converted several private homes into military barracks. They also demolished a residential building and destroyed local businesses. Bulldozers cleared thousands of square meters of land in the process.
Also, the military arrested approximately 110 Palestinians during the first week. These detainees include children and several former prisoners. Officers also interrogated hundreds of other citizens on the street.
After that, the Israeli government claimed the operation aims to stop terrorism. Officials stated they will keep the city closed until they dismantle Hamas infrastructure. However, some reports note limited success in finding weapons.
Furthermore, the local economy suffers greatly from these movement restrictions. The Hebron Chamber of Commerce estimates daily losses at 12 million shekels. Most commercial truck traffic has stopped completely.
Finally, displaced families struggle to find safe shelter. Most stay with relatives in nearby neighborhoods. Very few families secured rental homes during this difficult period.