The Israeli army continued on Saturday to impose a comprehensive military siege on the city of Hebron in the southern occupied West Bank for the second consecutive day, as part of a military operation that began last Friday. The siege involved the forced displacement of dozens of Palestinians from their homes, the demolition of a residential building and commercial facilities, in addition to carrying out widespread raids on homes in the city and neighboring towns.
Siege and Demolition Details
The Israeli army imposed a complete closure on the city using military machinery to isolate it, following a shooting incident targeting a military checkpoint that resulted in the deaths of Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, and injured three others. Israeli authorities also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque and expelled its staff, while Israeli forces forced dozens of Palestinians to evacuate their homes in the "Al-Jalqa" and "Deir al-Baha" areas.
The Palestinian news agency "Wafa" reported that the siege was accompanied by widespread raids in the early hours of the dawn, where forces detained dozens of Palestinians and interrogated them before releasing them. Israeli bulldozers also demolished a building consisting of three apartments in the northern area, and facilities in the "Farsh Al-Hawa" area, and converted several homes into military barracks.
Reactions and Warnings
For his part, Hussein al-Sheikh, Vice President of the State of Palestine, considered that the Israeli policy of collective punishment requires international condemnation and immediate action to stop violations and hold officials accountable. The UN Office of Human Rights confirmed that the decision to completely close the Ibrahimi Mosque and the city's entrances falls within a pattern of collective punishment, warning of its repercussions on the olive harvest season and depriving farmers of their orchards.
For her part, Hamas described what is happening in Hebron as an "extension of criminal aggression," and called for a unified national stance and international action to stop the escalation. This siege coincides with an escalation in attacks by the Israeli army and settlers in the West Bank since October 2023, raising Palestinian fears of efforts to formally annex the West Bank.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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