Israeli military forces have leveled an entire neighborhood in the West Bank city of Hebron, displacing hundreds of families in what local authorities describe as a campaign of collective punishment. The massive demolition operation in the district of Ein Deir Baha follows a Friday attack on a military checkpoint that left two Israeli soldiers dead.
By Saturday afternoon, the Hebron municipality estimated that approximately 35 hectares (86 acres) of land had been destroyed or slated for demolition. Initial reports indicate that at least 1,500 people have already been evicted from their homes. The entire city, which is home to some 250,000 residents, has been effectively sealed off, with military checkpoints established at every entry and exit point.
Visual reports from the scene showed widespread devastation, with bulldozers flattening stone walls and entire blocks of residential buildings reduced to rubble. In some instances, soldiers were seen marking Palestinian homes with black spray-painted crosses, while a large residential building belonging to a prominent local family was reportedly commandeered to serve as a temporary military headquarters. One large structure was seen draped with Israeli flags as heavy machinery continued to clear the surrounding area.
The operation is a direct response to a 20-minute gunfight that occurred Friday at a military checkpoint outside the city. In addition to the two Israeli soldiers killed, three others were injured. The two gunmen involved in the assault were also killed.
The demolitions come just four days before Israeli national elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the site of the attack, promising a forceful response. Smotrich, who was filmed in body armor at the demolition site, stated he had ordered the immediate removal of buildings he described as illegal structures near the attack site. He further called for a broader military campaign similar in scope to operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Local Palestinian officials and activists report that the impact is far-reaching. Issa Amro, a Hebron-based civil rights activist, said his sister’s family was among those forced out of their homes. He described the situation as political theater at the expense of civilians, stating that the displaced families have no connection to the Friday attack. Local authorities have opened community centers and children’s play areas to provide temporary shelter for the displaced, many of whom have also sought refuge with relatives.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) defended the operation in a written statement, asserting that the target area is home to a clan associated with Hamas, the group they say produced the gunmen. The military claimed that civilians who wished to leave were allowed to pass through designated screening points. The IDF maintained that the structures being removed were built in violation of the law and posed security risks to the nearby checkpoint.
Local reporting indicates that the displacement may grow, with current plans potentially affecting an additional 2,500 residents. For now, the district remains a scene of active demolition as families continue to clear what few belongings they can from the debris of their former businesses and homes.
