Hebron sealed off as Israeli forces evict thousands of residents
Israeli troops have blocked all access points to Hebron and forced the removal of roughly 2,200 Palestinians from several neighborhoods.
Mayor Yousef Jaabari said that Israeli forces have completely closed all routes into and out of Hebron, turning the city into a disaster zone. The crackdown came after two suspected Palestinians opened fire on Israeli troops at a checkpoint near Farsh al-Hawa, killing two soldiers and wounding three. In response, soldiers forced approximately 2,200 Palestinians—among them seniors, women and children—to vacate homes in Deir Bahala, al-Jalda and surrounding neighborhoods.
The affected zone spans roughly 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units. Residents reported being given only five minutes to depart, and social-media videos captured local lorry drivers loading supplies to prevent loss before the demolition of factories and homes. Jaabari accused the measures of collective punishment.
Why it matters
The mass displacement and total siege of Hebrew raise concerns about humanitarian conditions and escalation in the West Bank.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 EU debates ban on settlement products as Israeli forces raze West Bank homes
- Oct 17 A London demonstration of roughly 250,000 participants was added to the global protest series.
- Oct 17 Settlers attacked a diplomatic convoy in Taybeh, injuring French mayor Bernard Baudoux.
- Oct 19 Israeli police have taken eight individuals into custody following a series of assaults by settlers in the West Bank, which targeted a U.S. photojournalist and several European diplomats.
- Oct 19 Police have arrested ten suspects and filed charges of violent conduct and breach of military orders.
- Oct 23 The strike that killed Akram Yassin and Dina Abu Baker was reported on Tuesday.
- Oct 23 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli army is being readied for a comprehensive lockdown of the West Bank following a shooting that wounded five Israelis.
- Oct 23 Netanyahu signalled a broader West Bank shutdown and convened an emergency security cabinet meeting.
- Oct 23 Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said troops would “act forcefully, pursue and reach all those involved in the attack”.
- Oct 24 Israeli forces began coordinated raids that demolished commercial buildings in western Hebron, entered a refugee camp south of the city, used tear‑gas in a northern village, deployed vehicles to Nablus, set up roadblocks and directed residents to leave through screened exits.
- Oct 24 Following the killing of two Israeli soldiers by suspected Palestinians, the Israeli military imposed a full siege on Hebron and ordered a shutdown of the West Bank. The operation involved house searches, demolitions and the arrest of dozens of residents, while settlers attacked local farmers. The move comes days before a national election that could threaten Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hold on power.
- Oct 24 Israeli troops arrested 19 Palestinians during the second day of the Hebron siege.
- Oct 24 Israeli forces began demolishing homes and sealing the city of Hebron following the killing of two soldiers.
- Oct 25 Israel announced that all land crossings with the West Bank will be closed on election day and that most Palestinian workers will be barred from settlement areas.
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