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Hebron

Metropolis

Arabic transcription(s)

• Arabic

الخليل

• Latin

Ḥebron (ISO 259-3)
Al-Khalīl (official)
Al-Ḫalīl (unofficial)

Hebrew transcription(s)

• Hebrew

חברון

The Cave of the Patriarchs, Palestine Polytechnic University, The Old City, Tomb of Ruth and Jesse, Nabi Yunis, Hebron Mall and Downtown Hebron

Municipal Seal of Hebron

Nickname(s):

City of the Patriarchs

Hebron

Location in the Palestinian territories

State

State of Palestine (civil governance) Israel (H2 area military control)

Governorate

Hebron

Government

• Type

City / Municipality type A (from 1997)

Area

• Metropolis

74,102 dunams (74.102 km² or 28.611 sq mi)

Population

(2017)

• Metropolis

201,063

• Density

2,713.328/km² (7,027.49/sq mi)

• Metro

700,000

Website

www.hebron-city.ps

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Official name	Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv, vi
Inscription	2017 (41st Session)
Endangered	2017–
Area	20.6 ha
Buffer zone	152.2 ha

Hebron (also called Al-Khalil) is a city in the southern West Bank region of Palestine. It is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Jerusalem. Hebron is the capital of the largest governorate in the West Bank, also called Hebron.

The city has a population of over 200,000 people. The wider area, including nearby towns, has more than 700,000 residents. Hebron covers an area of about 74 square kilometers (29 square miles). It is the third-largest city in Palestine, after Gaza and Jerusalem.

Hebron is considered one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a very important holy city for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. According to the Bible, Abraham lived in Hebron. He bought the Cave of the Patriarchs as a burial place for his wife, Sarah. The Bible says that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, along with their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah, are buried there. The city is also known as the place where David became king of Israel.

Throughout history, different groups ruled Hebron. After World War I, it became part of Mandatory Palestine under British rule. Later, it was controlled by Jordan. Since 1967, the city has been under Israeli military control. In 1997, Hebron was divided into two parts: H1, controlled by the Palestinian National Authority, and H2, managed by Israeli authorities. This division makes Hebron a key example of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Hebron is a major center for business and industry in the southern West Bank. It produces about a third of the area's total economic output. The city is famous for its grapes, figs, ceramics, and glassblowing. The Old City of Hebron has narrow streets, stone houses, and old markets. It is a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO. Hebron is also an important center for education and healthcare in the region.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Hebron

The name "Hebron" comes from old languages in the Middle East. It means 'unite' or 'friend'. So, the name Hebron might mean 'alliance'.

The Arabic name for Hebron is al-Khalīl. This name became popular in the 1200s. Al-Khalīl means "Beloved of the Merciful" or "Friend of God." This is a special name for Abraham in the Quran. So, the Arabic name also means 'friend', just like the old Hebrew name.

Hebron's Long History

Hebron is a very old city with a rich history. People have lived here for thousands of years.

Ancient Times: Bronze and Iron Ages

Archaeologists have found signs of strong walls from the early Bronze Age in Hebron. The city was busy around 1700-1800 BCE. It was a royal city for the Canaanite people.

The Bible connects Hebron with Abraham. He bought a cave here to bury his family. This cave, the Cave of the Patriarchs, became a very important place for Jewish people. It was the first land they owned in the area.

Later, the Bible says that Joshua or the Tribe of Judah took control of Hebron. King David also ruled from Hebron for about seven years before moving to Jerusalem. Hebron was an important city for the Tribe of Judah. It was also one of the six traditional Cities of Refuge, where people could go for safety.

Hebron was an important trading center. It was located on routes connecting the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, the Negev, and the coast.

Roman and Byzantine Periods

After the First Temple was destroyed, many Jewish people left Hebron. The city was later influenced by the Edomites. During the Maccabean revolt, Judah Maccabee burned and looted Hebron in 167 BCE.

Herod the Great, a king of Judea, built the strong wall that still surrounds the Cave of the Patriarchs. During the First Jewish–Roman War, Hebron was captured and destroyed. After another revolt in 135 CE, many Jewish people were sold into slavery at a market near Hebron.

In the 500s CE, a Christian church was built over the Cave of Machpelah. This church was later destroyed by the Persians in 614 CE. Jewish people were not allowed to live in Hebron during Byzantine rule.

Early Islamic Rule

Hebron became part of the Islamic empire in the 600s. Muslims turned the Byzantine church at Abraham's tomb into a mosque. Hebron became an important stop for traders and pilgrims traveling from Egypt and Damascus.

During this time, Jewish people were allowed to return to Hebron and build a small synagogue. An early visitor described Hebron as a poor, unwalled city. Trade grew, especially with Bedouins.

In 985 CE, a writer named al-Muqaddasi described Hebron as a village with a strong fortress over Abraham's tomb. The mosque held the tombs of Isaac, Jacob, and their wives. He mentioned vineyards and a public guesthouse that gave food to everyone. This guesthouse, called the 'Table of Abraham', was famous for its charity. It still exists today as a soup kitchen.

Crusader and Ayyubid Periods

In 1099, Christian Crusaders took Hebron and renamed it "Castellion Saint Abraham." It became the capital of the southern part of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Crusaders changed the mosque and synagogue into a church.

In 1113, Crusaders found the tombs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob inside the cave. They were excited by this discovery. In 1166, the famous Jewish scholar Maimonides visited Hebron to pray at the tombs.

In 1187, the Muslim leader Saladin took Hebron back. The city's name was changed back to Al-Khalil. A Kurdish area was established in the town.

Mamluk Period

After the Mamluk Sultan Baibars defeated the Mongol army in 1260, minarets were added to the sanctuary. Baibars later made a rule that Christians and Jews could not enter the main sanctuary. This rule was not always strictly followed at first.

Between 1318 and 1320, the Jawli Mosque was built to make more prayer space at the Ibrahimi Mosque. Important rabbis visited Hebron during this time. The Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay brought back the tradition of the "Table of Abraham," providing daily bread to travelers of all faiths.

Ottoman Rule

The Ottoman Empire took control of Hebron in the early 1500s. Many Jewish people from Spain moved to the Ottoman lands, and some settled in Hebron. In 1540, the Abraham Avinu Synagogue was built.

In the 1700s, the Jewish community faced financial problems and unfair demands from Turkish leaders. Hebron became known for its glass production, using minerals from the Dead Sea. Travelers in the 1800s noted that 150 people worked in the glass industry. Hebron also exported dibse, a grape sugar.

In 1834, a revolt broke out when Egyptian rulers tried to force local Muslims into their army. Hebron was attacked and many people were killed or forced into the army. Some Jewish people were also killed.

By 1850, Hebron had about 45-60 Sephardic Jewish families and 50 Ashkenazic Jewish families. The local economy struggled as European glass became cheaper and trade routes changed. By the late 1800s, the production of Hebron glass decreased.

Hebron was known for its strong religious beliefs. The Jewish community was divided between the traditional Sephardic Jews, who spoke Arabic and dressed like Arabs, and the newer Ashkenazi Jews.

British Mandate Period

The British took control of Hebron in 1917, and it became part of Mandatory Palestine in 1920. Most of the land in Hebron was owned by Islamic charities. In 1922, Hebron had a population of about 16,577 people. Most were Muslim (97%), with a smaller number of Jews (2.5%) and Christians (0.4%).

In the 1920s, a Jewish religious school (Yeshiva) moved to Hebron from Lithuania. By 1929, it had about 265 students. Most Jewish people lived outside the city center, renting homes from Arabs.

In 1929, there were riots in Hebron. Many Jewish people were killed, and homes and synagogues were destroyed. However, many Jews were saved by their Arab neighbors who hid them. A few years later, some Jewish families returned. But in 1936, the British government moved the Jewish community out of Hebron for their safety.

Jordanian Rule

During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Hebron came under Jordanian military control. The agreement between Israel and Jordan was supposed to allow Jewish pilgrims to visit Hebron. However, Jordan did not allow Jews of any nationality into the country.

Hebron's leaders voted to become part of Jordan. This helped the city's economy grow during the 1950s. The population of Hebron increased significantly during this time. Signs of the previous Jewish presence in the city were removed.

Israeli Occupation and Division

After the Six-Day War in June 1967, Israel occupied Hebron and the rest of the West Bank. An Israeli military government was set up. Some Israeli leaders believed Hebron should remain under Jewish control and open to Jewish settlement.

Jewish settlers began to return to Hebron. Some descendants of the Jewish community from 1929 support this return, while others believe in peaceful coexistence with Palestinians.

In 1997, the city was divided into two parts by the Hebron Agreement.

H1 Hebron: This area is controlled by the Palestinian National Authority. About 120,000 Palestinians live here.
H2 Hebron: This area, which includes the Old City of Hebron, remains under Israeli military control. About 30,000 Palestinians and around 700 Israelis live here.

Israeli soldiers protect Israeli settlers in H2. Palestinians need special permits to enter areas where settlers live. Many international groups consider Israeli settlements in Hebron to be against international law.

The Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) reported in 2017 that Israel had violated international law in Hebron. They noted issues like movement restrictions and harassment. For example, Palestinians are not allowed to use Al-Shuhada Street, a main road, which some call "Apartheid Street."

People of Hebron

In 2017, Hebron had a population of 201,063 Palestinians. About 700 Jewish settlers live on the edges of the Old City of Hebron. The H2 area, under Israeli military control, includes about 35,000 Palestinians.

Hebron is the capital of the Hebron Governorate. The city and its surrounding areas form a larger metropolitan area with an estimated population of about 782,227 people in 2021. It is the third-largest metropolitan area in Palestine.

Hebron is also home to different groups of people. Many Palestinians of Kurdish descent have lived in the city since Saladin's time. Nearly a third of Hebron's population is thought to have Kurdish roots. There is still a Kurdish Quarter in the city. Hebron also has a small Samaritan community.

Hebron's Location and Environment

Hebron is located in the southern West Bank, nestled in the Judaean Mountains. It is about 930 meters (3,050 feet) above sea level. The city is 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Jerusalem and 60 kilometers (37 miles) east of Gaza City.

Hebron is one of the highest cities in the area. The Hebron Governorate and metropolitan area make up about 19% of the total West Bank area. The city is surrounded by mountains and hills, including the Hebron Hills and Mount Nabi Yunis. Mount Nabi Yunis, north of the city, is the highest point in Palestine at 1,030 meters (3,380 feet).

The Wadi al–Quff Natural Reserve near Hebron is one of the largest nature areas in Palestine. It covers about 3.73 square kilometers (920 acres) and is home to rare animals and plants.

Hebron's location in a fertile mountain area makes it important for farming. It is a center for growing fruits and grapes. The city also gets water from cisterns, springs, and wells. The Hebron River is another water source, but it is currently polluted by waste from industrial areas.

Hebron's Weather

Hebron has a mild climate. The average temperature throughout the year is between 15-16°C (59-61°F). In winter, the average is about 7°C (45°F), and in summer, it's about 21°C (70°F). The city gets about 502 millimeters (20 inches) of rain each year, mostly in January and February.

How Hebron Grew: Urban Development

Historically, Hebron had four main areas: the market (suq), the Silk Merchant Quarter, and the Sheikh Quarter. The city's basic layout was set during the Mamluk period, when it also had Jewish, Christian, and Kurdish areas.

By the mid-1800s, the Christian quarter was gone. People built taller houses rather than moving out of their safe neighborhoods. As security improved in the late 1800s, the city expanded. A new business center, Bab el-Zawiye, appeared.

In the 1920s, Hebron had seven main areas. By 1945, the city had spread onto the surrounding hills. During Jordanian rule, about 1,800 new houses were built, mostly along the highway to Jerusalem.

In 1971, Hebron University was founded. Jordan also tore down old houses near the Ibrahimi Mosque to improve access. The old synagogue was also demolished and became an animal pen. Israel later restored the synagogue site.

Today, the modern part of Hebron (Upper Hebron) is in the east. Wealthier residents moved here from the crowded Old City (Lower Hebron). Upper Hebron has upscale homes, Hebron University, hospitals, and hotels. The main shopping street, Jerusalem Road, has modern malls. The southern part of Upper Hebron has working-class neighborhoods and large industrial areas. The main government buildings are in the city center.

Hebron's Economy

Hebron is a major center for business and industry in the Middle East. It has many natural resources, which makes it very valuable. It is the most productive region in Palestine after the Jerusalem-Bethlehem-Ramallah area.

The H1 area, controlled by the Palestinian Authority, contributes a lot to the city's economy. Even with tensions, Israelis and Palestinians have strong trade ties in Hebron. The city is famous for its ceramics and glass.

Hebron provides 60% of the stone and marble in the West Bank. It also accounts for 33% of Palestine's total economic output, including:

60% of the jewelry industry.
28% of the farming sector.
75% of the leather and shoe industry.

Most farm products from Palestinian-controlled Hebron are sold to Israel. Hebron also trades with China. The minimum wage in Hebron is higher than in other Palestinian areas.

From the 1970s to the early 1990s, about a third of Hebron's residents worked in the shoe industry. There were over 1,000 shoe workshops. However, agreements in the 1990s allowed many cheap Chinese shoes to be imported. This hurt the local industry. Now, there are fewer than 300 workshops, and they employ fewer people. More than half of Hebron's shoes are exported to Israel.

Hebron has the most advanced printing press in the Middle East. It is also a major source of goods imported into Israel, like mattresses. There are about 17,000 factories and workshops in the H1 area. A new industrial city in Tarqumiyah has over 140 factories.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hebron quickly became a center for making medical supplies. Many factories started producing these items. The city is also a hub for the jewelry industry, with about 70 factories and over 1,500 workers.

Hebron's Culture and Tourism

Hebron has many mosques, synagogues, churches, parks, and old buildings. The Old City of Hebron was named a Palestinian World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2017. It is one of the best-preserved examples of Mamluk-era architecture.

Famous Sites to Visit

The Cave of the Patriarchs: This is the most famous site. It is an ancient building said to hold the tombs of biblical figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. Part of the site is now the Ibrahimi Mosque, and another part is a synagogue.
Other Tombs: The tombs of other biblical figures, such as Abner, Othniel, Ruth, and Jesse, are also in Hebron. These sites are in the H2 area, controlled by Israeli authorities.
Abraham Avinu Synagogue: This synagogue in the historic Jewish Quarter was built in 1540 and restored in 1738.
Mosques: Important mosques include the Sheikh Ali al-Bakka Mosque and Al-Jawali Mosque.
Christian Sites: Hebron has several Christian churches. The Oak of Sibta (Oak of Abraham) is an ancient tree where Abraham is said to have pitched his tent. The Russian Orthodox Church owns this site and a nearby monastery.
Mamluk Architecture: Hebron is one of the few cities that still has many buildings from the Mamluk period.

Other Interesting Places

Wadi al–Quff Natural Reserve: Located northeast of the city, this nature reserve is popular for visitors, especially on weekends.
Aristobolia (Khirbet Istanbul): South of Hebron, this site has a Byzantine-era church.
Khirbet al–Karmil: Here you can find a Crusader pool, a ruined Byzantine church, and a Crusader fortress.
As-Samu: This is an ancient biblical village that is now a modern town. It has a 4th-century synagogue and Ottoman-era buildings.

Religious Stories and Traditions

Many religious stories are connected to Hebron. Some Jewish traditions say that Adam lived in Hebron after leaving the Garden of Eden. Others say that Adam and Eve are buried in the Cave of Machpelah. There's a belief that the Cave of the Patriarchs is the entrance to the Garden of Eden. In the Middle Ages, people would eat red earth from Hebron as a good luck charm.

An Islamic tradition says that Muhammad visited Hebron during his night journey. Another tradition says that Muhammad gave Hebron and its villages to Tamim al-Dari and his family. They were allowed to tax the land, and the Ibrahimi Mosque was put in their care. The simat al-Khalil or "Table of Abraham" was a famous food distribution center in Hebron. It gave bread, lentils, and raisins to all visitors.

Some people believe that the presence of Jewish religious groups in Hebron has changed the city. They argue that it focuses only on Jewish history and makes it harder for different religions to live together peacefully.

Images for kids

Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, Hebron
Dura Hospital
A Palestinian woman from Hebron wearing Palestinian traditional dress in 1947
Qidra or Qidreh, is a famous dishes from the city of Hebron
Sunset in Hebron
The Old City of Hebron built in Mamluk era
Excavations at Tel Rumeida
Samson removes gates of Gaza (left) and brings them to Mount Hebron (right). Strassburg (1160–1170), Württemberg State Museum in Stuttgart
Cave of the Patriarchs
Hebron in 1839, after a drawing by David Roberts, in The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia
Northern Hebron in the mid-19th century (1850s)
A display of Hebron glass
Jews in Hebron, 1921
British loyalty meeting in Hebron, July 1940
Hebron in the 1960s under Jordanian rule
Constructed in 1893, this former Jewish clinic in central Hebron now forms part of an Israeli settlement.
2018 United Nations map of the area, showing the Israeli occupation arrangements.
Israeli soldiers patrol an open-air market.
Road block with Hebrew inscription "מוות לערבים" meaning "Death to Arabs"
A net installed in the Old City to prevent garbage dropped by Israeli settlers into a Palestinian area.
King Faisal Street in Hebron was named in commemoration of Shah Faisal, the king of Saudi Arabia from 1964 to 1975
Sunset in the sky of Hebron Ras al-Jura
Panoramic view of residential area of Hebron
A loom at work making keffiyeh at the Hirbawi factory in Hebron.
Industrial area of Hebron
Ein Sarah Street, Hebron Central Business District at night
Inside the Hebron City Center Mall
Hebron glass in a market
Russian Orthodox Monastery in Hebron