Israeli forces launched an operation in the West Bank city of Hebron on Saturday, displacing around 250 families following a deadly attack that killed two Israeli soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the operation would be one of the largest since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967.
Hebron has seen escalating tensions, particularly after militants targeted soldiers at a checkpoint. This comes just days before Israeli elections, where Netanyahu faces a formidable challenge from former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.
In the Ein Dir Baha neighbourhood, buildings were marked to show they had been evacuated. Streets were almost deserted apart from Israeli military vehicles, with local Governor Khaled Dudin stating that about one-third of the city was involved in the operation. Dudin condemned the operation as collective punishment against civilians, a sentiment echoed by Hebron’s mayor and local activist Issa Amro.
The Israeli military described the operation as “precise, targeted, and thorough”, focusing on the area of the attackers. They announced it would continue for several days, consistent with actions taken after previous incidents.
Itamar Ben Gvir, Netanyahu’s national security advisor, has advocated for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank. Netanyahu has resisted successive US presidents’ pressure to pursue a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, taxis waited at military-controlled gates in Hebron, where Palestinians must cross on foot due to vehicle restrictions. Reports indicate a rise in settler violence, with 672 incidents recorded recently, particularly during the annual olive harvest, a significant cultural event for Palestinians.
Current polls show Netanyahu in a tight race with Eisenkot, who opposes a Palestinian state but pledges to address settler violence.
