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Hebron

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Hebron is a major city in the southern West Bank, Palestine.

The town of Hebron. Coloured lithograph by Louis Haghe after Wellcome V0049466
The town of Hebron. Coloured lithograph by Louis Haghe after Wellcome V0049466

It serves as the capital of the Hebron Governorate. This governorate is the largest in the West Bank. Located south of Jerusalem, Hebron is a vital urban center. The city has a population of 201,063 people within its limits. The wider metropolitan area holds over 700,000 residents. It is the third largest city in the country. Only Gaza and East Jerusalem are larger.

Hebron- 1960's
Hebron- 1960's

The city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the Levant. It holds deep religious significance for three major faiths. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all recognize Hebron as a holy city. A central site is the Cave of the Patriarchs.

Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron 2007
Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron 2007

Biblical tradition says Abraham settled in Hebron. He purchased the cave as a burial place for his wife, Sarah. It is believed that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are buried there. Their wives, Rebecca and Leah, are also linked to the site. Herod the Great built the wall that still surrounds the cave.

Hebron136
Hebron136

Archaeological evidence shows Hebron has ancient roots. Excavations at Tel Rumeida reveal strong fortifications from the Early Bronze Age.

Hebron136
Hebron136

The city was once a Canaanite royal center. It flourished during the 17th to 18th centuries BCE. Later, the Edomites settled in the area following the Babylonian captivity. During the first century BCE, the region saw significant changes. The city has passed through many hands over thousands of years. It has been part of the Byzantine Empire and various Muslim dynasties.

Political control of Hebron has shifted many times. Muslim dynasties ruled from the 7th century CE until the Ottoman Empire ended. After World War I, the city became part of British Mandatory Palestine. Violent events occurred in 1929 and during the 1936–39 Arab uprising. These events led the British to evacuate the Jewish community. Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Jordan occupied and annexed the West Bank. Since the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel has controlled the city. This history has shaped the modern political landscape of the region.

Today, Hebron is divided into two distinct administrative sectors. This division resulted from the 1997 Hebron Protocol. Most of the city is known as H1 Hebron. The Palestinian National Authority governs this sector. The other part is H2 Hebron, which is under Israeli occupation.

2018 OCHA OpT map Hebron
2018 OCHA OpT map Hebron

This structure makes the city a microcosm of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Security and travel permits are coordinated by COGAT. This agency works between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. Jewish settlers in the city have their own governing body. They are called the Committee of the Jewish Community of Hebron.

Hebron is a massive commercial and industrial hub. It generates roughly one third of the region's GDP. A major part of this wealth comes from limestone quarries.

Hebron216
Hebron216

The city is also famous for its diverse manufacturing. It is known for grapes, figs, and ceramics.

Grapes in Hebron
Grapes in Hebron

Skilled workers produce Hebron glass and pottery.

Hebron glass finished products - Joff Williams
Hebron glass finished products - Joff Williams

Other industries include plastics, metalworking, and glassblowing. The city functions as a regional center for education and medicine.

The Old City offers a look into Hebron's traditional life. It features narrow, winding streets and stone houses with flat roofs. Visitors can find old bazaars, which are traditional marketplaces.

Hebron Old city-souq
Hebron Old city-souq

The city's historical importance has earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. From its ancient Canaanite roots to its modern industrial role, Hebron remains a complex and busy place. Its unique position on trade routes has influenced its development for millennia.

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🖼️ Images & Media (28)
File:Hebron136.JPG
Hebron136.JPG
File:Samson Fenster aus Alpirsbach.jpg
Samson Fenster aus Alpirsbach.jpg
File:Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron 2007.jpg
Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron 2007.jpg
File:The town of Hebron. Coloured lithograph by Louis Haghe after Wellcome V0049466.jpg
The town of Hebron. Coloured lithograph...
File:Frith, Francis (1822-1898) - Views in the Holy Land - n. 428 - Hebron. Northern Half of the City - recto.jpg
Frith, Francis (1822-1898) - Views in the...
File:Hebron glass finished products - Joff Williams.jpg
Hebron glass finished products - Joff Williams.jpg
File:Jewish ghetto in hebron, 1921.jpg
Jewish ghetto in hebron, 1921.jpg
File:British loyalty meeting in Hebron, 3 July 1940.jpg
British loyalty meeting in Hebron, 3 July 1940.jpg
File:Hebron- 1960's.jpg
Hebron- 1960's.jpg
File:Dan Hadani collection (990044355400205171).jpg
Dan Hadani collection (990044355400205171).jpg
File:Hebron105.JPG
Hebron105.JPG
File:Israeli soldiers on Palestine street.jpg
Israeli soldiers on Palestine street.jpg

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