AL-KHALIL, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Hamas Movement warned on Friday of escalating Israeli aggression against al-Khalil and other cities and towns across the occupied West Bank, including military raids, forced displacement, home demolitions and property destruction, describing these measures as a dangerous escalation in Israel’s policy of collective punishment against the Palestinian people.
In a press statement, the Movement said the tightened siege imposed on al-Khalil, the closure of its entrances and exits, daily raids and the forced displacement of hundreds of families from their homes constitute violations of international law and humanitarian norms.
Hamas stressed that demolition, bulldozing and destruction operations targeting residential neighborhoods, along with the intimidation of children, women and elderly residents, would neither bring Israel security nor grant it legitimacy. Instead, it said, such measures would strengthen Palestinians’ determination to defend their national rights, land and holy sites.
The Movement called on the international community, the United Nations and human rights and humanitarian organizations to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities and take urgent action to halt the Israeli assault and end policies of forced displacement and collective punishment targeting Palestinians in al-Khalil and across the West Bank.
Hamas reiterated its solidarity with the residents of al-Khalil and Palestinian communities throughout the West Bank, stressing that Israeli measures would fail to uproot Palestinians from their land or break their resolve.
It affirmed that Palestinians would continue to uphold their legitimate rights until they achieve freedom and an end to the occupation.
The statement comes amid an ongoing large-scale Israeli military operation in al-Khalil and its surrounding areas, launched on October 23 following a shooting attack in the Farsh al-Hawa area that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The Palestinian attackers were subsequently killed.
Since the operation began, Israeli forces have imposed severe closures on the city and its entrances, expanded raids and house searches, seized residential properties and converted some into military barracks, while carrying out demolitions, damaging property and forcing residents to leave their homes.
According to the latest official figures, Israeli forces have displaced 537 families comprising 3,361 Palestinians from the al-Jalda and Deir Baha areas.
Hundreds of other families remain trapped inside their homes, facing severe restrictions on movement and difficulties accessing humanitarian assistance and essential services.
