Occupation begins expanding settlement outposts in Hebron amid fears of undermining 1997 agreement

The city of Hebron is witnessing an unprecedented escalation in settlement activities following decisions by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, which stripped the Hebron Municipality of its planning and construction powers. This move has raised widespread fears among residents of the Old City, who face daily restrictions and continuous attacks aimed at forcing them into involuntary displacement from their homes and historical properties.

Occupation authorities have already begun implementing construction work and annexes for the Talmudic religious school known as 'Shavei Hebron,' located within the 'Beit Romano' settlement. This settlement project was originally established inside the historic Osama bin Munqidh School building in 1983 and now represents the spearhead in attempts to gain full control over the heart of the Old City.

Observers warn that these measures effectively terminate the Hebron Agreement signed in January 1997, which divided the city into 'H1' and 'H2' areas. While the first area is under Palestinian control, the second area is under the grip of the occupation, and it is currently witnessing the fiercest operations of Judaization and systematic demographic change.

Local sources reported that expansion work at the religious school began about two months ago at the entrance to the Old City, threatening to completely close the road leading to the Ibrahimi Mosque. This expansion aims to provide housing for about 200 settlers, while depriving thousands of Palestinians of their basic right to movement and access to their homes and businesses.

Activist Issa Amro affirmed that the danger lies in isolating about 50,000 Palestinians living in the Israeli-controlled area, increasing their daily suffering through checkpoints and military gates. Amro considered Smotrich's statements to be a legitimization of a reality of ethnic cleansing that began years ago and has accelerated wildly after the recent aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Field data indicate that the occupation seeks to seize 'absentee properties' in the Old City to convert them into new settlement outposts. These moves coincide with the closure of the southern entrances to the Ibrahimi Mosque, which has led to a sharp decline in the number of worshippers by up to 80%, in a clear attempt to impose full sovereignty over the mosque.

On the legal front, the Hebron Municipality has engaged in long disputes before occupation courts to preserve the ownership of historical buildings. Despite rulings confirming Palestinian ownership of some properties, the occupation circumvents these decisions. Settlers exploit legal loopholes to seize control of building rooftops and surrounding areas, supported by political decisions from the extreme right-wing government.

Legal researcher Hisham Al-Sharbati explained that the addition of any settlement outpost necessarily means an increase in the number of armed settlers and intensified military presence to protect them. This reality translates on the ground into more closures and restrictions aimed at reducing the Palestinian presence to its lowest levels and creating geographical connectivity between isolated settlements.

Transgressions were not limited to the 'H2' area but extended to include the seizure of lands in Jabal Al-Rahma, classified within the Palestinian-controlled 'H1' areas. This expansion indicates the occupation's desire to bypass all previously signed agreements and impose a fait accompli policy through military force and new racist legislation.

Residents of the southern neighborhoods of Hebron suffer greatly to reach their city center, as they are forced to travel long distances due to the closure of direct roads. This policy aims to isolate neighborhoods from each other and destroy the social and economic fabric of the city, pushing merchants and residents to voluntary migration under pressure of need and security.

For his part, the Mayor of Hebron, Yousef Al-Ja'abari, stated that the municipality had not been officially notified of the decisions to withdraw powers, but the facts on the ground confirm the existence of a fierce settlement attack. Al-Ja'abari stressed that Israel is trying to give a false legal character to its actions, emphasizing that these measures lack any legitimacy under international law and signed agreements.

Al-Ja'abari considered Smotrich's calls to cancel the Hebron Agreement, condemning Palestinian rights, as part of an election campaign aimed at satisfying extremist settlers. He pointed out that the conflict in Hebron has moved to a stage of direct confrontation over powers and existence, with occupation authorities openly targeting municipality buildings and vital facilities.

Hebron Municipality is currently seeking to escalate the issue internationally by communicating with UNESCO and global municipalities with which it has twinning agreements. These moves aim to expose Israeli practices targeting a city listed on the World Heritage list and demand immediate intervention from the international community to stop Judaization operations.

In conclusion of Palestinian demands, national activities in Hebron stressed the need for the return of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) to protect civilians from settler attacks. Appeals were also directed to the European Union to send international observers to document daily violations, emphasizing that international silence encourages the occupation to proceed with its policy of ethnic cleansing.

Israel decided to suspend the municipality's powers to give a legal character to all its actions within Hebron, but this does not protect it under international law.