Hebron Chamber Puts Daily Business Losses at $3.8 Million After 11-Day Raid

Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates that direct business losses in the West Bank city reached 12 million shekels, or approximately $3.8 million, per day during the recent military operation. The figure reflects the economic impact of an 11-day Israeli army incursion that concluded on Monday, November 2, following a start date of October 23.

The operation involved a total blockade of the city, with major roads closed and entrances sealed. Commercial shops were raided, and industrial facilities were either vandalized or demolished. The Hebron Chamber reported that 327 commercial and economic establishments were shut down during the period. Additionally, 15 specific facilities were destroyed, resulting in the loss of livelihoods for approximately 1,350 people.

Iyad al-Qawasmi, a used vehicle parts dealer in the Farsh al-Hawa area, quantified his personal losses at more than 2.5 million shekels, equivalent to about $790,000. Al-Qawasmi stated that soldiers gave him one hour to evacuate his three-dunum facility, which housed 600 used vehicles. He was told an Israeli court had issued the demolition decision, though no written order was provided at the time. Bulldozers later seized at least 400 vehicles and reduced the remaining structure to rubble. His business employed at least ten workers, cutting off income for roughly 70 Palestinians.

Abbas Mujahid, a resident of the al-Jalda neighborhood, returned to his family home after being displaced with his family of seven. He reported that wooden doors and the main iron door were torn from their hinges, while gypsum decorations and light fixtures were smashed. Mujahid noted that soldiers had left human excrement in the house and removed window frames. He began hiring workers to repair walls and doors, estimating the cost in the tens of thousands of shekels.

Unicef reported on October 30, citing Hebron Municipality figures, that 483 families were displaced during the operation. The total number of displaced people was 4,304, including 1,845 children. The incursion followed a shooting in which two Palestinians killed two Israeli soldiers; both Palestinians were killed in the exchange.

Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Jabari stated that a government committee has been formed to assess damages to private property, with engineers currently visiting affected homes. Residents have reported thefts of gold jewelry, cash, and personal belongings. The mayor estimated damage to municipal facilities and utility networks, including streets, water lines, and electricity grids, at around six million shekels, or $1.9 million. Al-Jabari said that restoring the city to its normal state will require at least one month of repairs.