In brief
On a Friday following the killing of two Israeli soldiers at a Hebron checkpoint, Israeli forces launched a demolition operation that gutted residential and commercial buildings across the city. The bulldozers flattened streets and marked homes for destruction, forcing at least 1,000 residents – and over 200 families – to evacuate, some without vehicles. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the operation was a response to the attack and labelled it “the largest military effort in the West Bank since 1967,” while his far‑right allies called for harsher actions against the Palestinian Authority. The demolition is widely seen as collective punishment, sparking calls from Palestinian leaders and international bodies for urgent intervention to prevent further displacement.
Israel’s military has unleashed a sweeping crackdown on Hebron, demolishing homes and businesses to punish Palestinians deemed linked to an attack that killed two soldiers.
The Operation
Footage circulating online shows bulldozers tearing down buildings in the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al‑Hawa neighbourhoods, with entire streets reduced to rubble. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) cordoned off the city, severely limiting movement for its 200,000‑person population.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation in the wake of a gunman‑led assault on a checkpoint that also injured three soldiers. He vowed to remove weapons and “destroy all terrorist infrastructure,” describing the moves as a pre‑emptive strike tied to the upcoming general election.
Displacement and Humanitarian Impact
Hebron’s mayor, Youssef al‑Jaabari, said the smash‑hit plan could displace up to 2,500 residents from about 0.35 square kilometres of urban land. In practice, more than 1,000 people were displaced, with many forced to stay outdoors overnight and some left vehicle‑free as authorities marked homes for demolition with spray paint.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the demolitions, demanding “urgent international action beyond condemnation” to avert further forced displacement.
Political Repercussions
Netanyahu’s hardline stance was echoed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, with calls for an offensive in the West Bank similar to Gaza and a dismantlement of the Palestinian Authority.
In a later interview, Netanyahu hinted at a “big surprise” that could reshape Israeli‑Palestinian relations ahead of the elections.
The demolition operation has drawn criticism from international observers, who label such collective punishment as a violation of human rights and a catalyst for broader conflict escalation.
