Israeli forces launched a large-scale operation in Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, October 24, following a gun attack that killed two Israeli soldiers near the city.
The operation has brought new movement restrictions, searches, and displacement to Palestinian communities, deepening tensions in the territory.
According to “Reuters“, approximately 1,200 Palestinians had been displaced as Israeli forces searched neighbourhoods for suspected militants and weapons.
Military searches and demolitions
The Israeli military launched the operation after two Palestinian gunmen carried out an attack near Yehuda Junction outside Hebron on Friday. Two Israeli soldiers were killed, while the two suspected attackers were also shot dead, according to the Israeli military.
Israeli forces subsequently imposed extensive restrictions on movement across Hebron and began searches in the Al-Jaladah and Ein Deir Baha neighbourhoods.
Reuters reported that Palestinian residents had described the demolition of homes, shops, factories, and roads during the operation. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club also reported that Israeli forces arrested approximately 70 Palestinians over Friday and Saturday.
The Israeli military said the operation was aimed at locating militants and weapons. The reported arrests and demolitions form part of the ongoing security response.
More families face displacement
Hebron’s municipal head, Yousef Zouhair Al-Jabari, warned that another 1,300 Palestinians could lose their homes as the operation continued.
He accused Israel of collective punishment and questioned the timing and scope of the operation. These are allegations made by the local official; the Israeli military has presented the operation as a security measure following the fatal attack.
Movement restrictions have also disrupted daily life. Reuters reported that residents faced difficulties accessing essential services, including medical care, amid road closures and military activity.
The full duration of the operation and the number of people who may ultimately be displaced remain uncertain.
Wider implications for the West Bank
The latest escalation comes amid heightened political and security tensions ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election.
The operation adds to existing concerns about displacement, access to healthcare, and the impact of military measures on Palestinian civilians in the occupied West Bank.
While Israeli authorities have linked the operation to the attack on their soldiers, the consequences extend beyond the immediate search for suspects, with families facing uncertainty over their homes and access to essential services.
