Troops Raze Hebron District Days Before Israeli Vote
Local officials say 1,500 residents have been displaced after the military targeted an area linked to a recent checkpoint attack.
By Hiroshi Ferrari ·
Israeli military forces have demolished a large section of the West Bank city of Hebron, displacing hundreds of residents just days before a national election.
The Hebron municipality stated that 35 hectares of land in the Ein Deir Baha district have been destroyed or marked for demolition. By Saturday afternoon, local authorities reported that approximately 1,500 people had been forced from their homes. The city, which has a population of 250,000, was sealed off with checkpoints at all entry points.
The operation followed a Friday attack on an Israeli military checkpoint outside the city. Two gunmen opened fire, resulting in a 20-minute exchange that killed two soldiers and wounded three others. Both attackers were also killed. Israeli officials identified Ein Deir Baha as the home district of the gunmen.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the attack site and pledged a strong response. Netanyahu stated that Israel would act to destroy the location. Smotrich, who is running for office, filmed himself in body armor as a Palestinian building was demolished. He ordered the immediate destruction of a row of structures adjacent to the attack site and called for a military campaign similar to those in Gaza and Lebanon.
Videos from residents showed extensive damage, including houses reduced to rubble and a large building draped in Israeli flags. Residents said that building, which belonged to a prominent family, is now a temporary military headquarters. Soldiers were also seen marking homes with black crosses.
A municipality spokesperson said around 300 families have been evicted. The city has opened community halls and play areas to shelter some displaced residents. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israel plans to displace an additional 2,500 people.
Issa Amro, a local civil rights activist, described the operation as collective punishment. He said his sister's family was among those displaced. Amro questioned whether the demolitions were purely for election propaganda or part of a larger post-election strategy. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
