In brief
After an Israeli checkpoint shooting that killed two soldiers, the Defence Forces began sweeping through Hebron’s Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al‑Hawa neighbourhoods, bulldozing homes and businesses. Local authorities report that between 200 and 1,000 residents have been forced to leave overnight, with many told to leave their cars behind. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a response to security threats and warned of “electric” retaliation. Palestinian leaders call for urgent international action, while far‑right ministers hint at harsher measures against the Palestinian Authority. The demolition campaign has renewed concerns over collective punishment amid Israel’s looming elections.
In a sweeping move that has displaced between 200 and 1,000 families, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) began bulldozing homes and businesses in Hebron’s Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al‑Hawa neighbourhoods after a shooting killed two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint on Friday. Barricades now block public roads and ordinary residents find it hard to move in and out of the city.
Hebron’s mayor, Youssef al‑Jaabari, notified that the operation will target towns the gunmen hailed from, warning that Israeli forces would “remove weapons and destroy all terrorist infrastructure.” He estimated that 0.35 square kilometres of urban area would be cleared, enough to displace 2,500 people. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority called for urgent international action beyond simple condemnation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attends the operation in protective armour, said the military would “evacuate the residents, go house‑to‑house, remove weapons found, and destroy all terrorist infrastructure.” He also hinted at a possible large‑scale assault in the West Bank—though he did not provide a date. Far‑right ministers, including Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, have already called for actions that echo the Gaza or Lebanon strategies and urged dismantling the PA.
The demolition campaign has reignited debate over collective punishment, a world‑wide human‑rights concern. Analysts note that the policy mirrors earlier waves of demolitions in the northern refugee camps that displaced thousands in 2025. With Israel’s next general election looming, many view the crackdown as a political move aimed at consolidating far‑right support.
