Hebron:The Israeli army has intensified restrictions in the residential neighborhoods of Hebron in the occupied West Bank as its military offensive continues for the ninth consecutive day, according to witnesses. The offensive, which began on October 23, has resulted in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians, numerous arrests, and the demolition of homes and other structures.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, on Friday evening, Israeli forces imposed a military closure on the Ein Deir Bahha neighborhood, conducting raids and detaining several young men. Witnesses reported that Israeli military vehicles entered the area and declared it a "closed military zone" via loudspeakers, restricting residents from remaining in or moving through the neighborhood.
Footage shared by local media depicted Israeli soldiers deployed throughout Ein Deir Bahha, warning residents against staying in the area. Additional footage circulated by media outlets, including the Quds Network, showed Israeli soldiers detaining Palestinians, instructing them to place their hands on their heads before being taken to undisclosed locations.
Israeli forces have demolished homes belonging to Hamouda Wael Mohammed al-Jaaba and Ahmed Bassam Mohammed Ashour al-Jaaba in the Ain Deir Baha area. Local sources and witnesses indicated that the demolitions were linked to accusations by Israel that the two men were involved in a shooting attack on October 23 in the Farsh al-Hawa area west of Hebron.
Separately, five Palestinians were injured when illegal Israeli occupiers attacked a family harvesting olives in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood of central Hebron. The Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission reported that occupiers assaulted the Palestinians, used pepper spray, threw stones, and stole their olive harvest. The commission also noted the complete burning of an agricultural room and equipment in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron.
Since the offensive began, Israeli forces have enforced closures on Hebron and surrounding villages, seizing homes in the Jilada and Ain Deir Baha neighborhoods and converting them into military barracks. The offensive has included forced displacement, demolition of homes and commercial properties, and infrastructure destruction, with Israeli flags raised over converted military positions.
The Hebron Municipality stated that the offensive has displaced 4,969 Palestinians from 780 families. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli forces have arrested 110 Palestinians across the governorate between Friday and Wednesday. Military closures and the ongoing siege have disrupted education at 66 schools, impacting 2,872 students. Out of these, 2,198 students remain under direct siege, while another 674 have been forcibly displaced and cannot attend school.
Displaced Palestinians have called for an end to the military closures and the lifting of the siege on their neighborhoods to return home and resume their daily lives.