Hebron Under Siege: Israel's Latest Assault Sparks Widespread Displacement and Economic Strife

Hebron, West Bank – In a significant escalation of military operations, Israeli forces have conducted extensive raids and forced displacement of Palestinians in Hebron, a key city in the occupied West Bank. Since Friday, hundreds of Israeli soldiers have been involved in an operation that has led to the imposition of a lockdown on Palestinians and the detention of at least 47 individuals, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. Approximately 2,500 residents have been forced to leave the city, with some Palestinian homes reportedly repurposed as military posts and barracks.

The intensified operations followed a shooting incident on Friday that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinian suspects. This latest assault has brought renewed attention to the severe collective punishment inflicted upon Hebron's approximately 900,000 Palestinian residents.

The military lockdown commenced immediately after a shooting at the Farsh al-Hawa military checkpoint. Following the closure of all entry points to the city, Israeli forces initiated a large-scale demolition of numerous Palestinian buildings. Troops also entered the Ein Deir Bahha neighbourhood, compelling dozens of families to evacuate their homes at night, leaving behind their belongings. Data from the Hebron municipality indicates that the targeted displacement spans 350 dunams (35 hectares or 86 acres), resulting in the uprooting of nearly 500 Palestinian families. Hesham al-Sharbati, a human rights researcher, described the military's actions as a "complete eviction campaign for a Palestinian residential neighbourhood" and a "form of ethnic cleansing," asserting that the collective punishment constitutes a war crime.

Moamar Yousef al-Awiwi, a member of the Hebron municipal council, stated that the current Israeli operation is part of a series of measures aimed at displacing the Palestinian population, calling it a "crime and collective punishment contrary to all international customs and laws." Rights groups have drawn parallels between the current assault on Hebron and the tactics employed during the January 2025 "Iron Wall" operation in the Jenin and Nur Shams refugee camps, which led to the displacement of over 30,000 people and the destruction of more than half their homes.

Hebron plays a crucial role in the Palestinian economy, which is currently facing a severe crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israeli actions in the West Bank. The city contributes approximately 40 percent of Palestinian industrial output and 30 percent of its exports. However, recent Israeli restrictions and assaults have significantly impacted economic activity. Hebron hosts the highest concentration of military obstacles in the West Bank, with about 40 percent of the territory's 89 main checkpoints located within its most restricted zones.

Economic researcher Ahmed Abu Qamar highlighted the widespread economic repercussions of the restrictions on Hebron, emphasizing its importance as a "first-class industrial city" and a foundational pillar of the Palestinian economy. He warned that closures, movement restrictions, and military operations in Hebron would inevitably place pressure on the entire West Bank economy. Abu Qamar further explained that restrictions on trade and business activity would increase production costs due to supply chain and logistical disruptions, potentially leading to missed delivery deadlines. This could force many businesses to halt operations or significantly reduce working hours.

The daily lives of Palestinians in Hebron are also severely affected by the presence of hundreds of Israeli settlers in the Old City. Under the 1997 Hebron Protocol, the city was divided into sectors H1 and H2. While H1 is under Palestinian civil control, H2, comprising 20 percent of the city, remains under complete Israeli security control, subjecting its 7,000 Palestinian residents to strict military regulations.

Israeli authorities have been expanding "closed zones" around settlements in the city centre, actions deemed illegal under international law. In early October, the installation of three iron gates across a 200-metre stretch of the Old City further obstructed historical commercial routes like Shuhada Street, where over 500 shops have been forcibly closed over the years. During winter, many Palestinian residents are compelled to use dangerous, unlit paths through cemeteries to circumvent military checkpoints and searches.

Tensions are particularly high around the Ibrahimi Mosque (Tomb of the Patriarchs), a significant religious site in the H2 zone revered by both Muslims and Jews. This 14th-century site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been the target of numerous settler assaults. A notable incident in 1994, when an American-Israeli settler opened fire inside the sanctuary, killing 29 Palestinian worshippers, led to the permanent partition of the site and severe restrictions on Palestinian access to surrounding neighbourhoods.

In a significant policy shift, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the seizure of planning and construction powers over the Ibrahimi Mosque and the surrounding H2 zone, effectively removing oversight from the Palestinian municipality. Smotrich declared this move as the abolition of vital parts of the 1997 Hebron Agreement, signaling a further entrenchment of the occupation in the city.