Israeli forces moved into the West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, launching a major security operation that has resulted in the displacement of up to 250 Palestinian families. Some residents were forced to leave their homes in the middle of the night as the military vowed to exact a heavy price following a deadly attack on two Israeli soldiers at a nearby checkpoint on Friday. The lockdown occurs just days before Israel’s upcoming elections on Tuesday, a contest where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a competitive race against an opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated that the operation would reach a scale unprecedented since Israel first occupied the West Bank in 1967. In the Ein Dir Baha neighbourhood, which sits between two hills, buildings have been marked with X's to indicate they have been cleared of occupants. Local Governor Khaled Dudin reported that approximately one-third of Hebron has been targeted by the military. "They started in the neighbourhood from which the people who carried out the attack came, but there is no guarantee that the operation will not expand," Dudin said. He characterized the military's actions as "collective punishment being imposed on civilians who have nothing at all to do with this."
While the governor estimated that 150 families were affected, the mayor of Hebron, Youssef al-Jaabari, and local activist Issa Amro placed the number of displaced families at 250. Mayor al-Jaabari stated, "We will find them shelter and provide these people with all the help they need."
The Israeli military described its actions as "precise, targeted and thorough searches" focused on the area where the two gunmen, who were killed during the gunfight, had operated. Officials stated the operation is expected to last several days, consistent with previous army actions. All vehicle access points leading in and out of the city have been closed, with taxis forced to wait at military-controlled gates while residents cross on foot, according to the Basma Radio Telegram channel.
Amid the ongoing tensions, Itamar Ben Gvir, the prime minister's far-right national security advisor, has called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. When questioned on this, Netanyahu noted that he has consistently rejected pressure from three US presidents to move toward the establishment of a Palestinian state. The situation remains volatile as the country approaches Tuesday's vote.
