Israeli Forces Level Hebron Neighborhood, Displacing Hundreds Following Checkpoint Attack

HEBRON — Israeli forces levelled a neighbourhood in the West Bank city of Hebron, evicting approximately 300 families and displacing some 1,500 people by Saturday afternoon following a deadly militant attack on an army checkpoint.

According to local Palestinian authorities, the demolitions in the district of Ein Deir Baha were carried out as collective punishment. The Hebron municipality estimated that 35 hectares, equivalent to 86 acres, had either been destroyed or marked for destruction. The wider city of 250,000 residents has been sealed off with checkpoints established at every point of entry.

The military actions follow a 20-minute gunfight on Friday at an army checkpoint outside Hebron. Two gunmen opened fire, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuring three others. Both gunmen were killed during the clash, and Ein Deir Baha was alleged to be their home district.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich travelled to the site of the attack to pledge a severe response as Israel approaches national elections in four days. Netanyahu stated that Israel would act to destroy the place. Smotrich announced that he had ordered the immediate demolition of a wide row of structures adjacent to the attack site, calling for a comprehensive military campaign mirroring operations in Gaza and Lebanon.

Footage sent by local residents depicted widespread devastation, showing blocks of urban housing flattened, soldiers marking Palestinian homes with sprayed black crosses, and bulldozers tearing down stone walls. A large residential building decorated with Israeli flags was reportedly commandeered to serve as a temporary military headquarters.

The sweeping evictions have forced residents to seek alternative shelter with relatives and friends, while municipal authorities have opened community halls and children’s play areas to accommodate the displaced. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli authorities have plans to displace an additional 2,500 people.

Civil rights activist Issa Amro criticised the operations, stating that residents are being subjected to collective punishment for events they neither participated in nor supported. Amro added that local suffering is being exploited as political material for the upcoming elections.

The Israeli army was approached for comment regarding the scope of the operations and the circulating footage showing extensive devastation.