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Introduction to Changes in Hebron, Palestine

Hebron, a historic city in the occupied West Bank, has undergone significant transformations over the past year, marked by escalating tensions and structural shifts amid the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since the photo-documented visit by Padraig O'Hara—a period spanning December 2024 to January 2025, which highlighted the city's cultural heritage and daily struggles—the situation has deteriorated further due to intensified settler violence, military operations, and administrative encroachments by Israeli authorities. These changes reflect a pattern of dispossession and restriction, with over 1,000 documented settler attacks in the first eight months of 2025 alone, contributing to widespread displacement and economic hardship. This surge in violence, including arson, assaults, and land seizures, has displaced at least 18 Palestinian communities and forced over 1,000 residents to flee, as reported by human rights organizations. The early months of 2025 saw a notable rise in extremist settler activities, with incidents spiking by an estimated 30% compared to previous periods, turning areas like the Hebron Hills into flashpoints of confrontation.

Humanitarian conditions have worsened, with OCHA reports detailing access restrictions, infrastructure damage, and settler incursions affecting water supplies for up to 100,000 Palestinians in surrounding villages. In September 2025, armed settlers took over Palestinian homes in Hebron's Old City, underscoring the ongoing expansion of illegal settlements outside established areas. Additionally, Israeli proposals, such as the "Hebron Emirate" plan to administratively separate the city from Palestinian Authority control, have been met with unified rejection by local factions, highlighting fears of further fragmentation. These developments occur against a backdrop of international scrutiny, including UNESCO's monitoring of the Old Town's state of conservation and calls for settler evacuation following ICJ rulings on the illegality of the occupation.

Amid these challenges, key community institutions persist but face mounting pressures. The al-‘Ala’iyya School for the Blind, a historic institution founded in 1935 by Subhi al-Dajani to provide education for visually impaired students, continues to operate in Hebron. As of January 2025, it remains a focal point for local tours and community engagement, emphasizing its role in preserving Palestinian educational heritage despite the surrounding violence. However, like much of the city, it is indirectly impacted by curfews, raids, and access barriers that disrupt daily life and humanitarian access.

The Hebron Municipality, responsible for essential services such as water, sanitation, and urban planning, is currently functioning under strain. Its official website indicates ongoing development efforts to enhance e-services and transparency, but recent Israeli actions have eroded its authority. In July 2025, Israel's Civil Administration seized municipal powers to install infrastructure at the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, a move rejected by Palestinian authorities as an infringement on sovereignty. Further, in September 2025, decisions to appropriate mosque sections were condemned, exacerbating tensions and limiting the municipality's ability to manage cultural sites. Despite these encroachments, the municipality maintains operations, focusing on citizen services while navigating the constraints of occupation and settler expansion.

Overall, the past year has intensified Hebron's role as a microcosm of the West Bank's struggles, with settler-driven changes accelerating displacement and resistance. International observers warn of a "tinderbox" situation, urging de-escalation to preserve the city's multicultural fabric.