Palestinians return to Hebron homes after 10-day Israeli military operation

Over 3,300 Palestinians have returned to their homes in Hebron following the withdrawal of Israeli forces after a 10-day military operation. However, residents now face the challenge of cleaning up widespread destruction left behind in their neighborhoods.

The Ein Deir Bahha and al-Jalda areas were subjected to a severe 10-day assault following the killing of two Israeli soldiers on October 23. Two Palestinian suspects were also killed during the incident, leading to the forced displacement of hundreds of families.

Hebron Governor Khaled Dodin announced on Monday that families could access their properties after Israeli forces withdrew. However, residents found their homes and neighborhoods damaged, with reports of demolitions, vandalism, and other forms of tampering.

The displacement disrupted local families, scattering them across different areas. Fahd Ahmaro and his family were dispersed across four neighborhoods after being expelled from their home in Khallet al-Maghariba. Ahmaro described the experience as an 'unbearable hell' with no prior notice or justification.

Samer Mujahid, a resident of the al-Jalda roundabout area, reported that Israeli soldiers raided his home and gave him 10 minutes to leave with his children. When Mujahid sought more time to pack, a soldier threatened him with physical harm if he returned after the deadline.

Civil associations and the Hebron municipality are now working to assess and repair the damage caused by the military operation. The Support and Relief Committee has formed a field team to evaluate the impact on both public and private properties.

Hebron municipal council member Muammar al-Awiwi noted that targeted zones are experiencing power outages and intermittent water supplies. The operation resulted in the destruction of 15 facilities, including three homes, two of which belonged to the suspects in the attack that killed the two Israeli soldiers. At least 327 shops have been shuttered, and about 80,000 students were deprived of education during their 10-day displacement.

The Hebron municipality estimated that daily economic losses from the siege exceed $3.8 million. Damage to Hebron’s infrastructure exceeded 6 million shekels ($1.9m), while the city’s health and environmental sectors suffered losses of 500,000 shekels ($158,146).