‘A disaster zone’: Hebron is under full Israeli siege, mayor says
Israeli forces have sealed off all entrances to Hebron in the occupied West Bank and forcibly displaced around 2,200 Palestinians from their homes, Mayor Yousef Jaabari told Middle East Eye on Saturday evening.
“Hebron is now a disaster zone. The occupation has closed all entrances to the city. No one can enter or leave,” Jaabari said, accusing Israel of imposing collective punishment following a deadly shooting on Friday.
Two suspected Palestinians opened fire on Israeli troops at a checkpoint in northern Hebron early in the day near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint west of Hebron, killing two soldiers and wounding three others.
Jaabari said Israeli forces forcibly evicted around 2,200 people, including elderly people, women and children, from Deir Bahala, al-Jalda and surrounding neighbourhoods. The affected area spans approximately 330 dunams and contains more than 490 housing units.
Israeli forces also arrested at least 40 Palestinians on Saturday evening and demolished businesses and residential buildings as part of the ongoing crackdown on the city, according to the Palestinian Information Centre.
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Residents told MEE that soldiers gave families five minutes to leave while videos posted on social media showed Palestinian lorry drivers working together to move goods and supplies out of factories ahead of their demolition by Israeli forces.
“We intervened at Hebron municipality and found shelter for the residents,” Jaabari said. “We are now monitoring every detail and have declared a state of emergency to meet their needs.”
The municipality also announced a crisis hotline for those seeking support and assistance amid the forced evictions.
Ibrahimi Mosque remains closed
Following the shooting on Friday, Israeli forces closed the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, a Palestinian World Heritage Site recognised by Unesco, and expelled its staff and custodians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.
No prayers are currently being held at the mosque, and Israeli forces have banned the call to prayer there, Jaabari said.
The ancient mosque is among the holiest sites in Islam, Judaism and Christianity and has been administered by Palestinians and used as a mosque for more than 1,400 years. Israel has sought to take broader control over the site in recent months, imposing increasing restrictions, including barring Muslim worshippers, limiting the call to prayer and facilitating settler incursions.
The mayor accused far-right members of the Israeli government of using Hebron, its holy site and its residents for electoral purposes.
"The timing is also suspicious,” he said, accusing far-right members of the Israeli government of trying to “use Hebron and its Ibrahimi Mosque, its residents and their homes, as free election publicity for certain ministers contesting elections in the coming days”.
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