Israeli Forces Demolish Hebron District, Displacing 1,500 Residents
Hundreds of families have been forced from their homes in the West Bank city following a checkpoint attack.
By Pavel Bell ·
Israeli forces have leveled the Ein Deir Baha district in Hebron, displacing approximately 1,500 residents and destroying 35 hectares of the West Bank city. The operation, which began following a militant attack on Friday, resulted in the destruction of multiple urban blocks, with footage showing extensive rubble where residential buildings once stood. The city, home to 250,000 people, has been sealed off with checkpoints at every entry point.
The demolitions came in response to an assault on an Israeli military checkpoint outside the city on Friday. Two gunmen engaged in a 20-minute gunfight with soldiers, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and three others being wounded. Both gunmen were killed during the exchange. Authorities identified the district where the demolitions occurred as the home area of the attackers.
Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the site. Netanyahu stated Israel would 'act to destroy this place,' while Smotrich ordered the demolition of structures near the attack site and called for a comprehensive military campaign. Israeli elections are scheduled for Wednesday, October 28.
The Hebron municipality estimated that 35 hectares, or 86 acres, have been destroyed or marked for destruction. Approximately 300 families have been evicted, with some finding shelter with relatives while others are housed in community halls and play areas. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israel plans to displace an additional 2,500 people.
Issa Amro, a Hebron civil rights activist, condemned the action as collective punishment for an attack residents neither committed nor supported. He noted that his sister's family was among those forced out. 'Our suffering is being turned into political material for Israel's elections,' he said, adding it remains unclear if the operation is election propaganda or a serious post-election plan.
The Israeli army was approached for comment regarding the operations and the videos showing widespread destruction. No response has been issued at this time.
Source: The Guardian
