Israeli forces imposed a strict closure on Hebron and its entrances starting from the afternoon of Friday, 23 October 2026. Military personnel blocked access points throughout the city, restricting movement for residents and vehicles. Simultaneously, the Israeli military expanded operations to 26 locations across the occupied West Bank. These actions include a series of raids, property searches, and arrests conducted by security forces. The current surge in military activity follows the initial sealing of Hebron, impacting neighborhoods and surrounding areas. Authorities continue to maintain these closures as operations persist in the designated locations.
Siege and Military Restrictions
Approximately 250 Palestinian families have been forced to evacuate their homes in the Farsh al-Hawa and Abu Katila areas of Hebron. Israeli forces currently restrict these displaced families to carrying only one bag of clothing, while preventing them from taking their vehicles or other property. This directive limits the belongings residents can transport as they depart from the affected residential zones. The enforcement of these restrictions is managed by security personnel stationed throughout the perimeter of the evacuation areas.
Yousef Al-Jabari, Mayor of Hebron, stated, "The city is completely besieged by dozens of military vehicles and armored personnel carriers. The occupation forces are preventing movement in and out, and are carrying out extensive demolitions of homes and shops using dozens of bulldozers." These restrictions remain in effect as military personnel continue to block access points throughout the city. Residents are unable to retrieve personal belongings or utilize their vehicles during the ongoing operations in these neighborhoods. The presence of heavy machinery, including bulldozers, is reported in multiple sectors as part of the broader military activities currently underway.
Home Demolitions and Displacement
Israeli forces demolished a three-story residential building belonging to the Amrish family on Friday, 23 October 2026. The structure, located within the city, was destroyed as part of the ongoing operations currently affecting neighborhoods in Hebron. The demolition occurred amidst the wider security measures that have restricted transit for the local population.
The Hebron municipality has activated an emergency plan to provide shelter for families displaced by these demolitions and the broader military closures. Municipal authorities initiated this response to accommodate residents forced to evacuate their homes in the affected areas. Local officials are coordinating the distribution of temporary housing as the military presence continues to impact residential access across the city. Efforts are focused on managing the displacement caused by the operations in Farsh al-Hawa and Abu Katila, as well as the destruction of residential infrastructure. The municipality remains engaged in addressing the immediate needs of those who have lost access to their homes, while military operations continue to affect the daily movement of civilians across the 26 locations identified across the occupied West Bank.
