Hebron:The Israeli army has declared the Ain Deir Baha neighborhood in Hebron, located in the southern occupied West Bank, a closed military zone as of late Friday. This declaration comes amidst ongoing military raids and the detention of several young Palestinians in the area.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, the Israeli military offensive in Hebron has now entered its eighth day, leading to the displacement of thousands of civilians, the detention of many individuals, and the demolition of Palestinian homes and structures. Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli military vehicles entered the neighborhood and made announcements via loudspeakers, informing residents of the closed military zone status and restricting their movements.
Local media outlets have circulated videos showing the deployment of Israeli troops in the neighborhood, cautioning residents about the dangers of remaining in the area. Social media footage, including posts from the Quds News Network, depicted Israeli soldiers detaining Palestinian individuals, who were seen with their hands on their heads before being taken away under heavy guard.
The military offensive was initiated on October 23 following a shooting incident by two Palestinians that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others. The two attackers were subsequently killed by the Israeli army. Since then, Israeli forces have imposed a military closure on Hebron and adjacent villages, repurposing Palestinian homes in the Jalda and Ain Deir Baha neighborhoods as military barracks.
The Hebron Municipality reported that nearly 4,969 Palestinians from 780 families have been displaced due to the operation. In the early stages, Israeli forces conducted forced displacements, demolished homes and commercial properties, and destroyed infrastructure. Palestinian homes were converted into military bases, and Israeli flags were hoisted above them.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club disclosed that Israeli forces detained 110 Palestinians in the Hebron governorate between Friday and Wednesday. The military siege has also severely affected education, disrupting operations at 66 schools and impacting 2,872 students. Of these, 2,198 students are directly under siege, while 674 have been displaced, preventing them from attending school.
Displaced Palestinians are calling for the end of the military closure and the removal of restrictions on their neighborhoods to enable them to return home and continue their daily lives.