Netanyahu Orders Hebron Demolitions, Displacing Hundreds Ahead of Vote

The West Bank has seen a sharp escalation in military activity this week as Israeli forces launched a major demolition campaign in Hebron. The operation has already displaced hundreds of families and restricted movement for the city's 200,000 residents. Local officials confirmed that bulldozers have leveled at least one entire street, leaving homes and businesses in ruins.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the offensive on Friday following a deadly checkpoint attack. Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded by Palestinian gunmen. Both attackers were killed in the response. Netanyahu stated that structures near the attack site and the neighborhoods associated with the gunmen would be destroyed. The Israel Defense Forces said they have dozens of targets across the West Bank and expect the operations to last several days.

Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari reported that the destruction is concentrated in the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa districts. He noted that dozens of families were forced to sleep outdoors, some without access to their vehicles. Houses were marked with spray paint for demolition. The mayor estimated the military aims to displace 2,500 people from a small urban area. The city's governor and deputy mayor confirmed that at least 200 families have already been displaced.

This aggressive posture comes just four days before Israel's general election. Netanyahu, whose campaign emphasizes security, canceled his party's Friday morning events to visit Hebron. He wore protective armor and posted a video from the site. He declared that troops would evacuate residents, search house by house, and destroy terrorist infrastructure. The timing has drawn scrutiny from local leaders who view the move as a political strategy.

Background on the conflict shows that demolishing homes of suspected attackers is a frequent practice in the West Bank. Israeli rights groups have long criticized this approach as collective punishment. Netanyahu compared the current Hebron operation to earlier 2025 campaigns in northern refugee camps. Those prior actions destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands of people. He also referenced plans for the largest West Bank operation since 1967, though he did not specify a timeline.

Reactions have been swift from both sides. The Palestinian Authority called for urgent international action beyond simple condemnation to stop further forced displacement. Within the Israeli government, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged a campaign similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu threatened a significant surprise for the Authority in a Saturday interview.

The situation remains fluid as the military continues its work. Mayor al-Jaabari told journalists that the operation is driven by the upcoming elections. He argued that Netanyahu and his ministers are seeking to secure votes from the far right and settler communities. The sealed status of Hebron means residents face significant daily hurdles as the vote approaches.

What happens next is uncertain. The IDF stated operations would continue for several days. It is unclear if this specific Hebron campaign is part of the larger 1967-era plans Netanyahu mentioned. For now, displaced families are waiting for decisions on their housing while the city remains under tight military control.