In brief
After a shooting that killed Israeli soldiers in a West Bank checkpoint, Israeli forces have demolished homes across Hebron’s Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods, displacing more than 200 families. The operation, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeks to destroy weapons and remove homes linked to alleged attackers. Palestinian officials and local leaders describe the crackdown as collective punishment, while the Israeli far‑right pushes for broader security measures. International pressure mounts as the Palestinian Authority calls for urgent action to prevent further forced displacement.
The Israeli military has begun a sweeping demolition operation in the West Bank city of Hebron, tearing down homes and businesses in the wake of a deadly shooting that claimed two Israeli soldiers’ lives and injured three others.
Footage uploaded to social media reveals bulldozers flattening streets and marking structures with spray paint before razing them. According to local officials, more than 200 families have already been forced from their homes, though the mayor of Hebron estimates that up to 1,000 residents will be displaced once the operation completes. The sites targeted are the neighborhoods of Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa, where the alleged gunmen are believed to come from.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation on Friday, stating that Israeli soldiers would homes to be stripped of weapons and all ‘terrorist infrastructure’ removed. He linked the crackdown to previous large‑scale demolitions in the northern part of the territory in 2025, describing the approach as a necessary security measure.
Palestinian authorities have condemned the demolitions as collective punishment and requested that the international community intervene. The Palestinian Authority’s statement urges more than merely condemnation, demanding concrete actions to halt forced displacement and safeguard residents’ rights.
The push for demolition comes as Israel’s general election approaches, with far‑right ministers—Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir—advocating harsher policies against the Palestinian Authority and call for an intensified security campaign in the West Bank.
The mayor of Hebron maintains that the military actions are driven by electoral politics, aiming to solidify support among far‑right voters and settler communities.
The situation remains fluid, as the Israeli Defence Forces have indicated that the operation will extend over several days and that more targets across the West Bank are planned.
