Hebron (
Arabic: ; ,
Standard Hebrew: ;
ISO 259-3: ) is a
Palestinian city located in the southern
West Bank, south of
Jerusalem. Nestled in the
Judaean Mountains, it lies 930 meters (3,050 ft)
above sea level. It is the largest city in the
West Bank, and the second largest in the
Palestinian territories after
Gaza, and home to 215,452
Palestinians (2016), and between 500 and 850 Jewish
settlers concentrated in
Otniel settlement and around the old quarter. The city is divided into two sectors: H1, controlled by the Palestinian Authority and H2, roughly 20% of the city, administered by Israel. The settlers are governed by their own municipal body, the
Committee of the Jewish Community of Hebron. The city is most notable for containing the traditional burial site of the biblical
Patriarchs and
Matriarchs, within the
Cave of the Patriarchs. It is therefore considered the second-holiest city in
Judaism after
Jerusalem. The city is venerated by Jews, Christians, and Muslims for its association with
Abraham. It is viewed as a holy city in Islam and Judaism.
