Hebron homes razed as Israeli vote looms

Residents of Hebron in the occupied West Bank are facing forced removal from their homes as the Israeli military launches a large-scale demolition operation. Local officials report that at least 200 families have already been displaced, with many forced to sleep outdoors. The army has sealed off the city, restricting the movement of its 200,000 residents while heavy machinery levels buildings and businesses.

The operation began on Friday after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen at a checkpoint. Three other soldiers were wounded, and both attackers were killed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the military response shortly after the shooting. He stated that buildings near the attack site and the neighborhoods where the gunmen lived would be destroyed.

Netanyahu traveled to Hebron on Friday morning, canceling his party's campaign events. He appeared in video wearing protective armor and outlined the military's goals. He said forces would evacuate residents, search houses for weapons, and destroy terrorist infrastructure. The general election is scheduled for four days from now.

Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari said the demolitions are concentrated in the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods. He described the operation as targeting homes, industrial sites, and infrastructure. According to the mayor, the military intends to displace 2,500 people from an urban area measuring about 0.35 square kilometers. He noted that some families were told to leave without their vehicles while their houses were marked with spray paint.

The Israel Defense Forces stated on social media that it has dozens of targets across the West Bank. The army said the operations would continue for several days. Rights groups have previously criticized the practice of demolishing homes of suspected attackers as collective punishment. Netanyahu compared the current action to campaigns in northern refugee camps in 2025, which displaced tens of thousands.

Political figures in Israel are reacting to the military action. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinian Authority requested urgent international action to prevent further displacement.

Mayor al-Jaabari told journalists that the operation is driven by the upcoming elections. He said Netanyahu and his ministers are attempting to secure votes from the far right and settler communities. Netanyahu also mentioned plans for the largest West Bank operation since 1967, though he did not provide a timeline for that larger campaign.