Hebron residents face uncertain returns after 407 households evacuate

Riad Khamis, spokesperson for the Hebron Support and Relief Committee, stated on Monday that 407 households, totaling 2,649 people, have been affected by Israeli military actions in Hebron.

The evacuation orders followed a terror attack on Friday by Ahmad and Hamouda Al-Jabar, two Palestinians from the Ein Deir Bahha neighborhood, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and left several others wounded. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces established new checkpoints and ordered residents in several neighborhoods to leave their homes.

Khamis provided a breakdown of the displaced population, noting that 1,109 of the affected individuals are under the age of 18, with 180 of those being under two years old. The group also includes 218 elderly people, 115 pregnant or postpartum women, 28 people with disabilities, and 162 individuals living with chronic illnesses.

While Khamis said the majority of displaced Palestinians found alternative accommodation by staying with relatives or renting other homes, he reported that 168 households lacked a safe place to stay. Some families were forced to spend the night outdoors, while others faced overcrowded conditions and struggled to secure basic necessities.

The committee has identified specific humanitarian needs among the displaced population. Based on data collected Monday, 231 households require food supplies, 129 need medicines, 107 need baby formula and diapers, and 126 require shelter. Additional requests have been submitted for clothing, mattresses, blankets, and psychological support.

Khamis said families complained that the military did not allow sufficient time for them to pack belongings. He described the evacuations as taking place under high pressure, with residents receiving only notices and demands to leave. He stated that these communications did not clarify the duration of the operation or guarantee when families could return.

He added that no specific arrangements were communicated to facilitate the evacuation of elderly, disabled, or sick residents. This lack of planning created difficult conditions for families requiring ongoing medical care and assistance.

Milena Ansari, Director of Physicians for Human Rights Israel's Palestinian Territory Department, warned on Sunday that the disruption of routine care could turn manageable conditions into emergencies. She noted that people with diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, or cancer depend on regular medication and treatment. Ansari said displacement separates patients from their doctors, medications, and medical records, and that blocked roads and movement restrictions complicate access to care, especially with winter approaching.

The committee is asserting the need for immediate humanitarian intervention to address the shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. The Israeli military has not yet responded to a request for comment regarding the allegations of insufficient notice and lack of return guarantees.

Residents in the affected areas, including Ein Deir Bahha, Al-Jilda, Khillet Al-Magharbeh, and Farsh Al-Hawa, continue to wait for further instructions from the authorities regarding their status and potential return to their homes.