Displaced in Hebron: Picking up pieces after Israeli siege
Displaced Hebron families return to damaged homes, left to pick up scattered pieces of their lives after Israeli siege.
Hebron, occupied West Bank – Nour al-Natsha knew there was a chance his home wouldn’t be in the best condition upon his return after 10 days of displacement.
Israeli forces had taken over Hebron’s al-Jalada neighbourhood on October 24, a day after Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers nearby. Al-Natsha’s family were given 20 minutes to leave, taking only their money, gold and important documents, and leaving behind most of their clothes, everyday belongings and family photographs.
After hearing that Israeli forces had withdrawn, al-Natsha tentatively returned to check on the house on Monday.
Once they were satisfied that the house was safe, family members began cleaning and putting things back in order, removing belongings they feared might have been damaged or contaminated, in an effort to make the house habitable again and resume their daily lives.