Dubai: The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees warned on Tuesday of a worsening humanitarian situation in the West Bank city of Hebron. More than 3,000 Palestinians have been displaced following a military operation conducted by Israeli forces.
The military action began after a shooting attack targeted Israeli soldiers on October 23. The operation involved the demolition of homes and private property across the area.
Restrictions imposed during the sweep have severely limited the movement of residents. Access to essential services has also been heavily constrained, according to UNRWA reports.
Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, spoke about the conditions. He described a near-total lockdown affecting large parts of the city.
"A near-total lockdown across large parts of Hebron has severely restricted residents’ freedom of movement and their ability to access critical services," Friedrich told Arab News.
Friedrich noted that Palestinians living in Hebron, which is the largest city in the occupied West Bank, faced crippling security measures for an entire week.
He drew parallels to earlier events in the region. These developments bring alarming echoes of the massive displacement witnessed in the northern occupied West Bank in early 2025.
At that time, more than 34,000 Palestine refugees from the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams camps were forcibly displaced. Many of them remain displaced over a year later.
Friedrich stressed the urgent need to allow all displaced individuals to return home. Such returns must respect their dignity and rights under international law.
He also emphasized that access to essential services must be protected for everyone affected by the operation.
UNRWA is coordinating its response with other humanitarian partners and the Palestinian Authority. The agency has also mobilized alongside the Hebron Governorate and Municipality.
Aid efforts on the ground include distributing emergency assistance to affected families. Relief items provided so far include blankets, mattresses, and pillows.
These developments unfolded while Israel held its Knesset elections. The vote took place against a backdrop of widespread tension across the occupied West Bank.
