Israeli army declares Hebron area a closed military zone on eighth day of operation

Closed military zone in Ain Deir Bah

Late on Friday, the Israeli army declared the Ain Deir Bah area in Hebron, in the southern occupied West Bank, a closed military zone — amid raids and the detention of several young Palestinians. According to Anadolu, citing eyewitnesses: military vehicles entered the area, and loudspeakers announced that the territory was closed to residents' entry and movement. Videos circulated in local media showing Israeli soldiers in the area warning that staying there was dangerous; on social media, including according to Quds News Network, footage was posted of the detention of a group of Palestinians who were forced to keep their hands on their heads and were taken away under heavy guard to an unknown destination.

Course of the operation and its consequences

The operation in Hebron began on October 23 after an attack by two Palestinians in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and three wounded; both attackers were later killed. Since then, the army has imposed a military blockade on Hebron and surrounding villages, seized Palestinian homes in the Jalda and Ain Deir Bah areas and converted them into military barracks, raising Israeli flags over them. According to the Hebron municipality, as reported by Anadolu, by Tuesday the operation had displaced 4,969 Palestinians from 780 families; in the early days, troops carried out forced evictions, demolishing homes, commercial facilities and other infrastructure. The Palestinian Prisoners' Club reports 110 people detained in Hebron province from Friday to Wednesday. The blockade has also disrupted the work of 66 schools attended by 2,872 students: 2,198 remain under direct blockade, while another 674 have been displaced and cannot reach their schools. Displaced residents are demanding the lifting of the military blockade and restrictions so they can return home.