Israeli Forces Maintain Third-Day Siege in Hebron

Hebron, MINA – Israeli occupation forces continued their military siege on areas across al-Khalil governorate in the southern occupied West Bank for a third consecutive day on Sunday, displacing Palestinian families, raiding homes, and restricting residents’ movement.

The military operation intensified as Israeli forces stormed Halhul, as-Samu, Idhna, and Tarqumiyah, as well as the Sanjar area and southern parts of al-Khalil city. Checkpoints and road closures have isolated the city from surrounding towns and villages, severely restricting the movement of residents and vehicles.

Local sources reported that Israeli forces continued raiding homes across the governorate, assaulting, detaining, and interrogating dozens of residents.

Since the operation began on Friday, approximately 1,500 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from the Deir Baha and al-Jalda areas, according to Palestinian officials. Authorities have warned that another 2,500 residents could face displacement in the two areas, which cover approximately 350 dunums and are home to around 500 families.

Local officials said more than 200 families had been displaced, with some forced to spend the night outdoors after leaving their homes. Israeli forces reportedly marked evacuated houses and distributed notices ordering additional families to leave without taking their vehicles, raising fears that the displacement campaign could expand.

Al-Khalil Mayor Yousef al-Jaabari said Israeli forces intended to displace approximately 2,500 residents from Deir Baha and al-Jalda. The municipality has declared a state of emergency and opened temporary shelters for affected families.

Municipal officials also held an emergency meeting with representatives of public institutions, civil society organizations, and other relevant parties to assess the impact of the operation and coordinate immediate humanitarian assistance.

Israeli forces have also carried out demolitions and seized residential properties during the operation. In the Farsh al-Hawa area of western al-Khalil, the army demolished an apartment building, while commercial facilities and shops were also razed. Some homes were reportedly seized and converted into military posts and barracks.

Raids and movement restrictions have also affected Dura, Halhul, Beit Ummar, Bani Na’im, and Surif, as well as al-Fawwar and al-Arroub refugee camps.

On Saturday night, Israeli forces raided the Karisa area of Dura, breaking into and ransacking several homes. In the village of Sima, west of Dura, troops reportedly kidnapped a Palestinian after severely assaulting him. Several other residents suffered from tear gas exposure following an attack near the Sadat al-Fahs area in southern al-Khalil.

The operation began on Friday after a Palestinian resistance operation in al-Khalil killed two Israeli soldiers and injured others. The Israeli army and the Shin Bet intelligence agency said the military campaign could continue for several days.

The latest displacement comes amid a broader escalation of Israeli military operations and settler violence across the occupied West Bank since October 2023. Palestinian communities have faced increasing pressure from raids, land seizures, settlement expansion, and demolitions.

The forced transfer of protected civilians and the destruction of property in occupied territory are governed by international humanitarian law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. The convention prohibits an occupying power from forcibly transferring protected persons from occupied territory, subject to limited exceptions, and places restrictions on the destruction of property.

Palestinian officials have condemned the escalation and called for urgent international intervention to protect civilians and prevent further displacement. Families in al-Khalil remain at risk of losing their homes and livelihoods as the military operation continues.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)