Hebron military orders 250 families to leave homes within one hour

Israeli forces are clearing residents from their homes in Hebron following a violent shooting incident at a military checkpoint.

The operation began around midnight on Saturday, following a Friday attack near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of the city.

Two soldiers were killed and three others wounded during the shooting, according to the Israeli military.

Two suspected Palestinian attackers were also killed by Israeli forces during the initial exchange of fire.

The military described the action as an operation to thwart terrorism, coordinated with the Shin Bet internal security service and the Border Police.

Soldiers searched for weapons and infrastructure they linked to the attackers, while interrogating dozens of suspects.

Residents in the al-Jalada, Ein Deir Bahha, Wadi al-Maghariba, and Shi'b al-Milh neighborhoods were given one hour to vacate their homes.

The al-Jalada neighborhood is home to the families of Ahmad and Hamouda al-Joba, the two men identified as the attackers.

Abdul Hamid Shahada, a local resident, said soldiers stormed the area shortly after the Friday attack.

Shahada watched from his window as soldiers forced families out and beat one man during the incursion.

His family packed small bags with medicines, chargers, and documents, and did not sleep all night.

Soldiers directed families along a specific route toward Al-Salam Street for evacuation exits, the military said in a statement released on Saturday morning. Many residents had no clear information about when they would be allowed to return. Some families were told they would be kept out for six months to a year. Others were told only "until further notice." Shahada and his family are staying in the area, waiting for updates. He noted that houses in the neighborhood were left with doors and windows wide open and appeared ransacked. Khaled al-Qawasmi, deputy mayor of Hebron, said approximately 250 families have been forced to leave so far. He noted the number is not final because the military siege is ongoing. The municipality activated an emergency plan to open shelters, including the Child Happiness Centre and family guesthouses. Local sources reported that at least 13 Palestinians were arrested in the city. Dozens more were detained for field interrogations. Around seven dunums of land in Farsh al-Hawa were leveled, according to local reports. The military imposed a broad closure on Hebron, blocking main entrances and roads. Forces continue to be deployed across various parts of the city. The operation has not ended, Qawasmi said.