Settlers Seize Land, Building Rooftop in Central Hebron
Israeli settlers have taken control of a plot of land and a building rooftop on Al-Shallalah Street, near Hebron's Old City, initiating land-clearing operations. Palestinian officials in Hebron reported the installation of iron bases, surveillance cameras, and Israeli flags, alongside infrastructure work including water and electricity lines. The half-dunam (approximately 5,400 sq ft) site is strategically located on the road connecting central Hebron to the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque.
Palestinian officials stated that settlers had previously attempted to access the site on multiple occasions, most notably on June 11, when a large group entered the area, photographed the land, and restricted movement. They returned on Monday evening with bulldozers, commencing land leveling and preparation. Palestinians claim trees were removed, and settlers were seen with maps and engineering documents, suggesting long-term intentions for the site.
The infrastructure work has raised concerns that the seizure is not temporary. The installation of cameras and utility lines has reportedly damaged existing water lines serving nearby homes and businesses. Hebron officials warn that a settlement presence at this location, within a densely populated Palestinian urban fabric, could alter the area's character.
Palestinian officials link this action to a series of previous settlement activities in Hebron, including the closure of the historic Hebron Municipality building in May 2023 and the seizure of a building known as "Al-Manjara" in July 2025, which Palestinians say was converted into a religious institute linked to the "Beit Romano" settlement. They believe this indicates a gradual shift of settlement activity from the Ibrahimi Mosque vicinity towards the city center, potentially creating a new source of tension.
Khalid Al-Qawasmi, Deputy Mayor of Hebron, stated the land belongs to Palestinian families and denied any sale or transfer to settlement entities, also noting no knowledge of an Israeli military order concerning the site. He confirmed settlers attempted to enter an adjacent building but failed, subsequently ascending to its roof and raising Israeli flags. The municipality has sought clarification from Israeli authorities via liaison channels without success.
Hebron Municipality asserts that attempts to control properties in the Old City are often accompanied by claims of prior Jewish rights or ownership, sometimes citing absentee property laws. Palestinians deny any historical Jewish connection to the seized site, affirming its ownership by Palestinian families. Al-Qawasmi mentioned that landowners, with municipal support, have filed a complaint with Israeli police and are informing foreign diplomatic missions to halt the activities.
These developments occur in a city with a complex security and administrative system in its Old City, marked by Israeli settlers living within the city center and a significant Israeli military presence. Palestinian officials view the recent action as part of broader efforts to expand the settlement presence within Hebron, warning of exploitation of the political and electoral climate in Israel to establish new facts on the ground. From a security perspective, a new settlement outpost in a crowded Palestinian area could create another friction point in a city already considered a major flashpoint in the West Bank, posing a challenge for the Israeli military and police in managing a potential shift from temporary presence to a permanent reality.
