In brief
Hebron’s streets are now nothing but dust and broken walls as Israeli forces demolish homes and businesses to punish suspected attackers. Over 200 families have been forced out of their homes, with local officials estimating that 1,000 people may yet be uprooted. The crackdown follows the killing of two Israeli soldiers, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to promise "big surprises" for the Palestinian Authority. With elections looming, critics call the moves collective punishment amid mounting international pressure.
Hebron’s once‑busy streets now echo with the thud of bulldozers and the crunch of broken pavement. Tonight, the Israeli military erected a wall of wreckage, tearing down homes and businesses in a reversal that has left more than 200 families homeless.
The operation began after two Israeli soldiers were shot dead in a checkpoint assault. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the city a target, vowing to "destroy all terrorist infrastructure" and promising a "very big surprise" for the Palestinian Authority.
Local officials say the bulldozers have flattened a whole street, marking buildings with spray paint and leaving residents with no vehicles or shelter. Mayor Youssef al‑Jaabari reports that 1,000 people could be displaced from a patch of 0.35 square kilometers, a figure that may rise as the military rips further through neighborhoods.
Human rights groups label such demolitions collective punishment, citing international law. Yet the operation coincides with Israel’s upcoming elections, raising questions about whether the crackdown aims to sway far‑right voters and settler sentiments.
International voices urge urgent action beyond condemnation, as the West Bank’s fragile equilibrium teeters on the edge of violence and political upheaval.
