Israel Launches Major Demolition Drive in Hebron Ahead of Vote

Tension in the occupied West Bank has escalated sharply as Israeli forces initiated a large scale operation in Hebron, a city with a population of 200,000. Local officials report that homes and businesses are being razed, forcing hundreds of families to leave their residences. Video footage circulating online captures the extent of the destruction, with at least one entire street appearing to have been flattened by military bulldozers.

The Israel Defense Forces have sealed off the city, imposing strict limits on the movement of its residents. While the army has not yet responded directly to media inquiries, it stated on social media that it is targeting dozens of sites across the West Bank. The military indicated that these operations are expected to continue for several days, marking a significant shift in the intensity of activity in the region.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation on Friday following a deadly attack on a checkpoint. Two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen, and three others were wounded during the incident. Both attackers were killed in the exchange of fire. In response, Netanyahu declared that buildings near the attack site, as well as the neighborhoods where the gunmen originated, would be destroyed.

The practice of demolishing the homes of Palestinians suspected of involvement in attacks is a familiar tactic in the West Bank. However, Israeli rights groups have frequently criticized this approach as a form of collective punishment. Netanyahu drew a direct comparison between the current Hebron operation and earlier campaigns in northern Palestinian refugee camps in 2025, where hundreds of homes were destroyed and tens of thousands of people were displaced.

Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari stated that the operation is concentrated in the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods. He reported that the military has targeted residential homes, commercial businesses, industrial sites, and critical infrastructure. According to al-Jaabari, dozens of families were forced to spend the night outdoors, some without their vehicles, while spray paint marked houses for future demolition. The mayor estimates that the military intends to displace approximately 2,500 people from a small urban area of about 0.35 square kilometers. The city governor and deputy mayor confirmed that at least 200 families have already been displaced.

The timing of the operation has raised questions about its political motivations, as it comes with the general election just four days away. Netanyahu, whose campaign has focused heavily on security, canceled his party's campaign events on Friday morning to travel to Hebron. He was seen wearing protective armor and posted a video from the scene. In the footage, he outlined a plan to evacuate residents, search house by house, remove weapons, and destroy what he described as terrorist infrastructure.

The prime minister also mentioned reviewing plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967, though he did not specify a timeline for its implementation. It remains unclear whether the current actions in Hebron are part of that broader strategy. In an interview with i24 television channel released on Saturday, Netanyahu threatened the Palestinian Authority with a very big surprise, a statement that has added to the uncertainty surrounding the next steps.

The Palestinian Authority has called for urgent international action that goes beyond simple condemnation to prevent further forced displacement. Within the Israeli government, reactions have been divided but generally supportive of a hardline approach. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir went further, calling for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority itself.

Mayor al-Jaabari offered a pointed assessment of the political climate, telling journalists that the operation is driven by the upcoming elections. He suggested that Netanyahu and his cabinet members are attempting to secure the votes of far right supporters and settlers. This view highlights the intersection of military strategy and political necessity in the lead up to the vote.

As the operations continue, the situation in Hebron remains fluid. The military's stated goal of clearing targets contrasts with the immediate humanitarian impact on residents. With the election approaching, both sides are watching closely for signs of further escalation or a potential pause in hostilities.