Israeli Army Levels Hebron Streets in Pre-Election Offensive
Prime Minister Netanyahu launched the sweep hours after a checkpoint attack, displacing roughly 200 families four days before voters head to the polls.
By Daniela Vargas ·
Tensions in the occupied West Bank have escalated sharply as Israeli forces commenced a large-scale demolition campaign in Hebron. The operation, which began on Friday, has already resulted in the destruction of residential and commercial structures, displacing hundreds of families just days before a general election.
Local officials report that at least 200 families have been forced from their homes. Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari estimates that the military aims to displace 2,500 residents from an area of roughly 0.35 square kilometers. The city, home to 200,000 people, has been sealed off, restricting movement for the remaining population. Footage from the scene shows entire streets leveled by bulldozers, while others are marked with spray paint for future demolition.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation following the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian gunmen at a checkpoint. Three additional soldiers were injured in the attack, and both gunmen were killed. Netanyahu stated that buildings near the attack site and the neighborhoods of origin for the gunmen would be destroyed. He traveled to Hebron wearing protective armor and posted video from the scene, canceling his party’s morning campaign events.
The timing of the offensive has drawn scrutiny. Al-Jaabari told journalists that the operation is driven by the upcoming election, suggesting that Netanyahu and his ministers are seeking votes from far-right factions and settlers. The mayor described the action as a political maneuver rather than a purely security-driven measure. The Israel Defense Forces said in a social media post that the operation would target dozens of locations across the West Bank over several days.
The scale of the Hebron sweep echoes earlier military campaigns. In 2025, Israeli forces destroyed hundreds of homes in northern Palestinian refugee camps, displacing tens of thousands. Netanyahu compared the current action to those operations and said he had reviewed plans for the largest West Bank military operation since 1967, though he did not specify a timeline. He also threatened the Palestinian Authority with a "very big surprise" in an interview with i24 television.
Reactions within the Israeli government reflect the intensity of the political moment. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a West Bank campaign similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. The Authority itself requested urgent international action to prevent further forced displacement, moving beyond verbal condemnation.
The Israeli military has not yet provided a detailed account of the operation’s objectives beyond its initial statement. The city’s governor and deputy mayor confirmed the displacement figures, while residents reported being told to leave without their vehicles. Dozens of families spent the night outdoors as the demolition efforts continued across the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods.
Source: BBC News
