West Bank demolitions by Israeli forces leave thousands displaced in Hebron

Israeli forces destroyed the residences of two Palestinian attackers in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, following an assault last week that left two Israeli soldiers dead. The actions form part of a broader military campaign that has forced more than 3,000 Palestinian residents from their homes, according to a report by Reuters.

The demolitions targeted properties previously inhabited by the wives and children of the two gunmen, who were killed during the October 23 shooting at a Hebron checkpoint. Local residents noted that families had already been expelled from the neighborhood amid intense military activities over the preceding days.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed armed forces to begin the offensive in surrounding areas shortly after the fatal checkpoint confrontation, sparking demonstrations among local Palestinians. While the Israeli government maintains the campaign is necessary retaliation for the killing of its personnel, Palestinian authorities have alleged that Netanyahu is leveraging the security drive to rally voter backing ahead of an upcoming national election.

In a formal statement regarding the destructions, Israel's armed forces declared their intention to keep acting proactively and offensively to prevent future West Bank assaults and safeguard area inhabitants.

Beyond the gunmen's residences, municipal representatives in Hebron reported that Israeli units have leveled additional houses, commercial storefronts, roadways, and industrial facilities, although the full extent of the destruction remains unconfirmed. Soldiers have also blocked the majority of access routes into Hebron, imposing severe mobility restrictions that have impeded residents seeking healthcare.

The displacement drew sharp criticism from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who warned that the expulsions pointed to an unnecessary and disproportionate application of force. Turk added that warnings threatening to clear out and obliterate entire communities raised profound alarms regarding ethnic cleansing.

Tensions have simultaneously flared in other parts of the West Bank. In Kafr Malik, near Ramallah, armed Israeli settlers were seen assaulting Palestinians and obstructing farmers working during the annual olive harvest, while soldiers stood nearby. The military claimed it intervened after settlers alleged they were targeted with rocks, resulting in the detention of two Palestinians. However, an observer on the scene reported seeing no stone-throwing by the farmers. The Israeli advocacy organization Yesh Din documented at least 135 physical assaults against Palestinian harvesters between late September and late October.