Story perspectives

Israel Transfers Hebron Site Control, Overturns 1997 Agreement

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signed a June 15 order transferring authority over Hebron’s site to Israeli control, calling it historic.
The order overturns the 1997 Hebron Agreement that gave Palestinians control of the city.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mayor Yousef Al-Jabari condemned the move as a violation of law and an attempt to strip powers, describing the approval by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet as intended to ease land purchases.

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Story summary

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich signed a June 15 order transferring authority over Hebron’s site to Israeli control, calling it historic.
The order overturns the 1997 Hebron Agreement that gave Palestinians control of the city.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Mayor Yousef Al-Jabari condemned the move as a violation of law and an attempt to strip powers, describing the approval by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet as intended to ease land purchases.