Hebron (Al-Khalil) is the only Palestinian city where Israeli settlements are located directly within its center, creating a unique and highly volatile situation. Since the 1967 Six-Day War, Hebron has been under Israeli occupation, characterized by a complex system of administrative division, military checkpoints, and segregated movement.

Current Situation (2025–2026)
As of early 2026, Israeli military activity in Hebron has intensified significantly:
Large-Scale Raids: In January 2026, the Israeli army launched a massive operation involving hundreds of soldiers and armored vehicles, particularly in the southern districts, citing the need to dismantle “terror infrastructure”.
Siege and Movement Restrictions: Major military lockdowns have trapped over 70,000 residents in southern Hebron, with roads blocked by earth mounds and iron gates.
Mass Detentions: Between October 2023 and early 2024, approximately 1,400 Palestinians were arrested in the Hebron governorate—the highest number in the West Bank. Targeted raids in February 2026 have resulted in further arrests of residents and local leaders.
Settler Expansion: Human rights groups report an acceleration of settlement activities, including the establishment of new “pastoral” and “agricultural” outposts and the legalization of previously unrecognized outposts on Palestinian land.

Administrative Division: H1 and H2
Under the 1997 Hebron Protocol, the city was divided into two sectors:
H1 (80% of the city): Administered by the Palestinian Authority (PA), though the Israeli military frequently enters for raids.
H2 (20% of the city): Under full Israeli military control to protect approximately 500–800 Israeli settlers living in five settlement compounds. Around 33,000–40,000 Palestinians live in H2 under severe restrictions.

Life Under Occupation
The Israeli policy in Hebron, often described by humanitarian groups like B’Tselem as the “principle of separation,” has led to significant physical and legal segregation:
Ghost Town: Once-bustling areas like Al-Shuhada Street have become “ghost towns.” Thousands of Palestinian shops were forced to close, and many residents were compelled to leave due to extreme movement restrictions and harassment.
Checkpoints and Surveillance: There are over 20 permanent military checkpoints in the city center. Palestinians must pass through these for daily tasks like buying groceries or attending school.
Settler-Military Cooperation: Reports from organizations like Breaking the Silence indicate that Israeli security forces often facilitate settler goals, and settler violence against Palestinians frequently goes unpunished.
The Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs: This holy site for Muslims and Jews has been physically divided since 1994, when a Jewish settler killed 29 Palestinian worshippers. Access for both groups is tightly controlled and often restricted during religious holidays.

Legal Status
International Law: The UN and various international bodies consider Israeli settlements in Hebron—and the West Bank at large—to be illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits an occupying power from transferring its civilian population into occupied territory.
ICJ Ruling: In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements.