Israeli forces displace hundreds in Hebron following deadly attack on soldiers

OPA WIRE, Oct 24 (OPA) — Israeli forces launched a large-scale security operation in Hebron on Saturday, clearing residents from neighborhoods and marking buildings for inspection. The military action follows a Friday gunfight at a checkpoint that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and the two gunmen responsible for the attack. Military officials characterized the mission as a series of precise, targeted searches, though local authorities report that approximately 250 families have been displaced from their homes.

Local officials have condemned the scale of the operation, labeling the displacement as collective punishment. Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin stated that while the military began in the neighborhood associated with the gunmen, the scope of the operation remains fluid. Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari confirmed that municipal authorities are currently working to secure emergency shelter and resources for the displaced families, as military vehicles continue to restrict movement throughout the city.

Hebron remains a flashpoint in the West Bank, where hardline Israeli settlers live in close proximity to Palestinian residents. The current lockdown has shuttered all vehicle access points, forcing residents to traverse checkpoints on foot. The operation coincides with a period of heightened tension, as rights group Yesh Din documented 672 incidents of settler violence over the past 26 days, many occurring during the regional olive harvest.

The security crackdown arrives just days before Israel’s general election, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a competitive race against an opposition bloc led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Netanyahu has signaled that the current operation is of a scale not seen since 1967, while his national security advisor, Itamar Ben Gvir, has publicly advocated for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. The military has indicated the operation will continue for several days.