‘A disaster zone’: Hebron is under full Israeli siege, mayor says

Israeli forces forcibly displace more than 2,200 people following Friday’s deadly shooting A Palestinian man looks on at empty homes after the Israeli army has forcibly evicted people from the Ein Deir Baha neighbourhood in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on 24 October 2026 (AFP) Published date: 24 October 2026 23:28 BST | Last update: 3 sec ago 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. Hebron has approximately 320,000 residents and is the administrative centre of a governorate home to around one million people, according to the mayor. 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. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Residents told Middle East Eye that soldiers gave families five minutes to leave while videos posted on social media showed Palestinian truck drivers rallying 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,” he 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, an endangered 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”. Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.