Hebron official says Israeli operation displaced around 1,200 Palestinians

Hebron, Palestine. Israeli forces made around 1,200 Palestinians leave their Hebron homes in the occupied West Bank, a Palestinian official reported on Saturday. The displacement followed an attack by Palestinian gunmen that killed two Israeli soldiers the previous day.

Military announces searches and demolitions

On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the military would undertake an extensive operation following the soldiers’ deaths. Two Palestinian gunmen had fired on a military checkpoint near Hebron, according to the Israeli military, which said both attackers were shot dead.

The military said its operation targeted militants and weapons in Al-Jaladah and Ein Deir Baha, neighbourhoods close to the checkpoint at Hebron’s entrance. Its statement also announced plans for demolitions.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the operation, describing it as “collective punishment”.

Municipal head reports displacement and destruction

Hebron municipality head Yousef Zouhair Al-Jabari said another 1,300 people risked losing their homes, beyond the approximately 1,200 already displaced.

He reported that Israeli forces had demolished homes, shops, factories and roads across Hebron, and characterised the response as unjustified and disproportionate.

Hebron residents told Reuters that many of those forced out by the military had no links to the Palestinian attackers.

Election allegations and reported arrests

Al-Jabari attributed the Israeli operations to Tuesday’s parliamentary elections. Opinion polls indicate that Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition could lose its majority.

He alleged that Netanyahu and radical ministers serving in his government were seeking to maximise electoral support from settlers.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, a non-governmental organisation, reported that Israeli forces detained around 70 Palestinians over Friday and Saturday. Israeli officials have made no comment on arrests.