Hebron:Dozens of Palestinians who have been forcibly displaced by the Israeli army gathered on Friday in Hebron, a city in the southern occupied West Bank, to demand a return to their homes. This demonstration comes as Israeli military raids and closures have continued for an eighth consecutive day.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the protest brought together women, children, and elderly individuals from displaced families near Al-Jalda Square, an area currently sealed off by Israeli forces. The protesters called for an end to the military closures and forced displacement, specifically seeking access to their homes in the Al-Jalda and Ein Deir Baha areas.

The ongoing military campaign, which began last Friday, followed an attack by two Palestinians that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others. Subsequently, the Israeli army killed the two Palestinians involved in the attack. In response, Israeli forces have imposed closures on Hebron and surrounding villages, seizing Palestinian homes and converting them into military posts.

The situation has led to significant disruptions, including incursions into residential neighborhoods, closures of city entrances, and orders forcing Palestinian families from their homes. Initial days of the campaign saw the demolition or damage of homes, commercial properties, and infrastructure, with Israeli flags being raised over some homes repurposed for military use.

The Hebron Municipality reported that 4,969 Palestinians from 780 families have been displaced due to the ongoing military actions. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoner Society noted that 110 Palestinians were arrested across the Hebron governorate between Friday and Wednesday.

Military closures have also affected educational activities, disrupting in-person education at 66 schools and impacting 2,872 students. Of these, 2,198 students are living under direct closure, while another 674, from forcibly displaced families, have been unable to reach their schools. The displaced families continue to demand that Israeli forces lift the closures to allow them to return to their homes and resume their daily lives.