AI-generated illustration

The Israeli army continued its siege of Hebron in the occupied West Bank for a fourth day, carrying out fresh raids with military reinforcements and blocking roads across the city, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

Since the operation began, Israeli forces have forcibly removed 2,649 Palestinians from their homes, set up checkpoints in many parts of the city and detained more than 70 people, the Hebron governor said.

Armored vehicles deployed across the city

Shortly after midnight, additional Israeli army units entered the Farsh al-Hawa neighborhood in armored vehicles, WAFA reported. Military movement was also observed near Jabal Kharbaz in the south of the city, while a large number of armored vehicles and trucks reached the Jilda area.

Israeli soldiers set up checkpoints at numerous points in Hebron, raided Palestinian homes and confiscated many vehicles. The army has maintained the siege for four days.

Governor reports about 1 million people affected

In the Jebel al-Rahma area, the Israeli army divided a street separating Palestinians from Israelis who have seized Palestinian land, restricting the movement and transport of residents.

Hebron Governor Khalid Devvin said the military activity affected roughly 1 million people across the city, sowing fear among residents and leading to a large number of checkpoints on the ground.

More than 70 detained, transport disrupted

Devvin said Israeli forces opened fire on civilian vehicles and confiscated many of them to use as barriers blocking entry and exit points. More than 70 Palestinians have been detained during the operation, Devvin added.

Transport across Hebron has been disrupted by 128 iron gates and 120 checkpoints, Devvin said, and Israeli forces have restricted residents' movement throughout the area.

Operation followed attack at a checkpoint

The military assault and siege began after an armed attack at an Israeli checkpoint in Farsh al-Hawa, at the city's northwestern entrance, on 23 October. According to Israeli sources, two Israeli soldiers were killed and three were wounded in the attack. The two Palestinians who carried it out were killed by the Israeli army, which said the operation in Hebron could last several days.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement yesterday evening that the roughly 2,000 Palestinians removed from their homes in Hebron would not be able to return until Israel dismantles what it describes as Hamas "infrastructure" in the city. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened, after the attack, to carry out a military operation in the occupied West Bank on a scale not seen since the 1967 war.

The developments in Hebron are taking place alongside escalating Israeli military raids in the occupied West Bank since the attacks on the Gaza Strip began in October 2023, which have included killings and arrests of Palestinians, demolition of homes and businesses, destruction of farmland and forced displacement.

Key takeaways

• Israeli forces have besieged Hebron for a fourth day, using military reinforcements and road closures, WAFA reported.
• 2,649 Palestinians have been forcibly removed from their homes since the operation began.
• Hebron Governor Khalid Devvin said about 1 million people were affected and more than 70 Palestinians were detained.
• The operation began after an October 23 attack at a checkpoint in Farsh al-Hawa that killed two Israeli soldiers.