35 Hectares of Hebron District Destroyed as 1,500 Residents Evicted

Israeli forces dismantled the Ein Deir Baha neighborhood in Hebron, leaving 35 hectares of urban blocks in ruins.

Local authorities describe the scale of destruction as a punitive measure following a fatal shooting at a military checkpoint outside the city. The Hebron municipality reported that approximately 1,500 people were forced from their homes by Saturday afternoon. Checkpoints now seal every entry point to the city of 250,000, isolating the population from surrounding areas.

Residents documented the devastation in video clips that circulated widely. Footage showed bulldozers pulling down stone walls and soldiers marking structures with black crosses. One clip depicted a large residential building draped in Israeli flags, which residents identified as the temporary headquarters of a local family. The municipality stated that 300 families had been formally evicted, with many seeking shelter in community halls or with relatives.

The operation began after two gunmen attacked an Israeli checkpoint on Friday. A 20-minute exchange of fire left two soldiers dead and three wounded, with both attackers killed. Authorities alleged the gunmen originated from the Ein Deir Baha district, which is now the focus of the demolition campaign. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the checkpoint site and declared that Israel would act to destroy the area. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who is running for election, filmed himself in body armor during the demolitions. He ordered the removal of structures he deemed illegal and called for a military campaign similar to those conducted in Gaza and Lebanon.

The timing of the destruction coincides with a general election scheduled for four days from now. Issa Amro, a civil rights activist in Hebron, stated that the operation serves as collective punishment for events the residents did not initiate or support. He noted that his sister’s family was among those displaced. Amro questioned whether the campaign is a long-term plan or merely political messaging for the upcoming vote. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israel intends to displace an additional 2,500 people in the coming days.

The Israeli army was contacted for a statement regarding the extent of the destruction and the use of military flags on private residences. No response was provided by the time of publication. The municipality continues to manage the influx of displaced residents, utilizing public spaces to house families who lost their homes.