Israeli forces have conducted a large-scale military operation in the West Bank city of Hebron following a deadly attack that killed two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the city. The operation, which began on October 24, has resulted in the displacement of hundreds to over a thousand Palestinian residents, the exact number varying according to different local officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation on October 23, describing it as an unprecedented response since Israel first occupied the West Bank in 1967. The attack involved two Palestinian gunmen who opened fire on an Israeli military checkpoint near Hebron and were subsequently killed by Israeli forces.
The Israeli military said the operation targeted the neighborhoods of Al-Jaladah and Ein Dir Baha, near the checkpoint, with the stated aim of searching for militants and weapons. The military also announced plans for demolitions in the area. Israeli troops reportedly entered residential areas, marking homes with X’s after evacuating residents, and taking control of some buildings, including ones draped with Israeli flags.
Palestinian officials and residents have reported that the military forced between 250 and 1,200 families to leave their homes, many in the middle of the night with little time to prepare. Higazi Shawer al-Tamimi, a 70-year-old local shopkeeper, said the military roused him at 1 a.m. and gave residents only two hours to leave with few belongings. Some families without vehicles sought shelter with relatives elsewhere.
Youssef al-Jaabari, the mayor of Hebron, estimated that around 1,300 Palestinians are at risk of losing their homes as demolitions continue, and promised support and shelter for those displaced. Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin described the measures as collective punishment against civilians with no direct involvement in the attack and suggested the operation could expand beyond current neighborhoods. Local activist Issa Amro echoed concerns about the operation’s scope and impact.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the operation, describing it as collective punishment, and Palestinian rights groups reported around 70 arrests during the military campaign. Residents have voiced frustration over what they describe as arbitrary evictions, emphasizing the hardships faced by families, particularly children.
Critics of the operation argue it is politically motivated as Israel approaches a tight parliamentary election on October 27, where Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition faces the possibility of losing its majority. Al-Jaabari suggested the government’s actions were aimed at garnering votes from settler communities in Hebron.
Hebron remains a flashpoint with a significant population of hardline Israeli settlers living alongside Palestinians. Israel's government has continued expanding settlements in the West Bank, a practice widely regarded as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this characterization. Palestinian residents frequently face movement restrictions and closures imposed by Israeli forces, which residents say exacerbate difficulties accessing medical care and other essential services.
The ongoing military operation reflects heightened tensions in Hebron and the broader West Bank amid political uncertainty and longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.