Nearly 4,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced as Israel’s ongoing military operation in the occupied West Bank’s al-Khalil Governorate entered its fourth consecutive day, with 619 families affected by raids, arrests and sweeping movement restrictions.

Israeli occupation forces have arrested 85 Palestinians, including a girl, while detaining more than 250 others for field interrogations, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS). Residents have also reported abuse as Israeli forces sealed off residential neighborhoods and restricted access to surrounding areas.

In the latest raids, Israeli forces arrested seven Palestinians whose identities had not been established in the al-Jalda and Deir Baha neighborhoods. Several other residents, including children, were detained and subjected to mistreatment, according to local reports.

Hundreds of families struggle to find shelter

Riyad Khamis, spokesperson for the al-Khalil Follow-up, Support and Relief Committee, said the number of affected families had continued to rise, with registrations more than tripling since the first day of the operation.

According to the committee, 283 families have sought refuge with relatives, while 266 families have been unable to find a safe place to stay. Another 47 families have moved into alternative accommodation, and 23 have been forced to rent homes.

The figures highlight the mounting humanitarian consequences of the operation, as displaced families struggle to secure shelter and meet their basic needs.

The committee, established under the governorate, has begun distributing emergency assistance to affected households. Its relief teams are working around the clock in coordination with relevant institutions to respond to the growing needs of displaced residents.

Neighborhoods sealed off as movement restrictions tighten

Israeli forces have continued to seal off the al-Jalda and Deir Baha neighborhoods after ordering families to evacuate large sections of both areas.

Entrances to al-Khalil city, surrounding towns and refugee camps have also been closed, severely restricting residents’ movement and preventing many from reaching workplaces and essential services.

The closures have disrupted daily life throughout the governorate, placing additional pressure on families already affected by displacement, arrests and military operations.

272 attacks documented in September

The latest operation comes amid a wider escalation of Israeli attacks against Palestinian communities across al-Khalil Governorate.

The Palestinian Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission reported on Sunday that Israeli forces and settlers carried out 272 attacks in the governorate in September, including 122 attributed to settlers.

During the same month, the commission documented 19 demolition operations targeting 91 Palestinian structures, giving al-Khalil the highest number of demolished structures among occupied West Bank governorates during that period.

The commission said the attacks reflected mounting pressure on Palestinian homes, livelihoods, freedom of movement and access to property, alongside expanding Israeli control over land, strategic locations and roads.

It warned that demolitions, forced evacuations and movement restrictions were affecting not only directly targeted communities but also neighboring residential areas and local businesses.

Humanitarian crisis deepens

Palestinian families across al-Khalil face worsening humanitarian and economic conditions as military operations, arrests and closures continue.

Those forced from their homes are struggling to find safe accommodation, while restrictions on movement are disrupting livelihoods and access to essential services.

Local officials and relief organizations warn that the number of affected families could increase further if the operation and associated restrictions continue, deepening the humanitarian crisis across the governorate. (ILKHA)