200 Families Displaced as Bulldozers Level Hebron Streets

Israeli forces have displaced at least 200 families in the West Bank city of Hebron following a large-scale demolition campaign that leveled entire streets. Local officials reported that bulldozers tore through homes and businesses, leaving residents with little time to save their belongings. The operation has sharply restricted movement for the city's 200,000 residents as the military seals off key areas.

The current crisis stems from a deadly attack on a checkpoint earlier this week. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded by two Palestinian gunmen. Both attackers were killed during the incident. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the retaliatory operation on Friday, stating that buildings near the attack site and the neighborhoods where the gunmen originated would be destroyed.

Netanyahu visited Hebron on Friday morning, wearing protective armor and posting video updates from the scene. He declared that forces would evacuate residents, search house by house for weapons, and dismantle what he described as terrorist infrastructure. The prime minister also revealed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967, though he did not specify when that broader campaign would begin.

The timing of the announcement is significant, as it comes four days before Israel's general election. Netanyahu's campaign has emphasized security, and he canceled his party's scheduled campaign events to oversee the operation. Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari noted that the action appears driven by the upcoming vote, suggesting that leaders are seeking to appeal to far-right voters and settlers.

The operation has focused on the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods. Al-Jaabari stated that the military targeted homes, businesses, and industrial sites. He estimated that the forces intend to displace 2,500 people from a small urban area of roughly 0.35 square kilometers. Many families were told to leave without their vehicles, and some were forced to spend the night outdoors.

Israeli rights groups have long criticized the practice of demolishing homes of those suspected of attacks, labeling it a form of collective punishment. Netanyahu compared the current action to earlier campaigns in 2025, where the military destroyed hundreds of homes in northern refugee camps and displaced tens of thousands. The army said in a social media statement that it had dozens of targets across the West Bank and that operations would continue for several days.

Reactions have been divided within the Israeli government and among international observers. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those in Gaza and Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. In an interview with i24 television, Netanyahu threatened the Palestinian Authority with a very big surprise.

The Palestinian Authority has called for urgent international action that goes beyond simple condemnation to prevent further forced displacement. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment beyond their initial statement. As the election looms, the situation in Hebron remains tense, with the military presence continuing to shape the daily lives of thousands of residents.