Israeli siege on Hebron forces more than 530 families from their homes

Aya Qawasmi was filming the Israeli assault on Hebron in the occupied West Bank when she saw her neighbors being forced to leave their home. I don't know how to describe it. I don't know what to do, Aya says, but the mother of three knew she had to act and quickly. In less than 15 minutes, her family packed up their belongings and left their home, roaming in the streets for hours, their destination unknown. They've now moved to her brother's house in another neighborhood. Perhaps. I was surprised to see my daughter taking her toys with her. I wasn't aware at the time. All I was thinking is to take my official papers and work laptop. My children each improvised on what they wanted to carry with them. Israeli soldiers have forced more than 530 families from their houses, among them more than 1,000 children and 200 toddlers. Earlier this week, 70-year-old Hijazi Tamimi tried to go get his medication from his home, but Israeli soldiers assaulted him. This speech should be heard by the whole world. The world needs to know this. I was assaulted and have a fracture in my leg. Despite my pain, I still come here daily to protest and demand to return home. Israel's assault on Hebron began last week, after a shooting near a military checkpoint in the city. Two Palestinian men are accused of shooting and killing two Israeli soldiers. Israeli troops have imposed a siege on the neighborhoods where the two suspects lived. Their homes were demolished. The whole city is under lockdown. More than 260,000 students unable to reach their classrooms. Economic losses are estimated at more than $3 million per day. Israeli officials say the campaign is meant to deter attacks, but the military has reportedly warned it could do the opposite and trigger acts of revenge. Media reports suggest that the Israeli prime minister has rejected earlier recommendations of the army's chief of staff to withdraw troops from Hebron. Same reports say that he might now reconsider after getting reassuring results in the Knesset elections. Palestinians have accused Israeli politicians of using the assault on Hebron in their election campaigns as a form of collective punishment against them. When I closed the door... When I locked my house, I was thinking I will come back to it. Or will we become like the stories we've heard from our elders? My grandparents and people in Gaza who were forced out of their homes crossed my mind. Palestinians say Israel needs no excuse to force them off their homes or make their lives harder than they already are. Nida Ibrahim, Al Jazeera, Occupied West Bank, Palestine.