Hebron families return to damaged homes after military operation
Palestinian families returning to Hebron after an Israeli military operation began checking damaged homes and searching for possessions left behind. Residents described hurried evacuations and the work of making their houses habitable again. The city’s mayor said schools and businesses were reopening, while movement restrictions remained at entrances to the occupied West Bank city.
Geopolitics··Night
Families inspect homes after returning
Palestinian families returned to al-Jalada, a neighbourhood of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, on Monday after an Israeli military operation. They began inspecting homes and looking for belongings left during evacuation. Hebron Mayor Yousef Al-Jaabari said families were returning to damaged houses after troops withdrew from neighbourhoods. For residents coming back from temporary accommodation or relatives’ homes, the return began with checking rooms, assessing damage and cleaning their living spaces.[1], [2]
A family had 20 minutes to leave
Nour al-Natsha, an orthopaedic surgeon who lives in the neighbourhood, said the family had only 20 minutes to prepare when ordered to leave on October 24. They took money, gold and identity documents, leaving other possessions behind. When they returned, doors were open, rooms had been disturbed and some items were missing. His father and two brothers entered first to check for anything dangerous left inside. The family then began cleaning and checking what was left in the house.[1]
Children and residents try to regain daily routines
Natsha’s four-year-old daughter Ilya asked about Natosh, the pet bird left at home, whose fate was unknown. The child repeatedly asked about the bird while the family worked to make the house habitable again. Another returning resident, Khaled Shawer, said settling back into his home was his priority. The mayor said schools and businesses were reopening, while restrictions remained at entrances to the city. A local committee linked to the governor’s office said hundreds of families had been displaced during the operation, which followed an October attack on Israeli soldiers.[1], [2]
