By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Israeli soldiers have leveled a neighborhood in Hebron, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes following a militant attack on a military checkpoint. Local Palestinian authorities reported that approximately 35 hectares of land in the Ein Deir Baha district were destroyed or marked for demolition, resulting in the eviction of about 1,500 people by Saturday afternoon.
Retaliation for Checkpoint Attack
The large-scale demolitions come in response to a Friday attack at an Israeli military checkpoint outside Hebron, where two gunmen opened fire. The ensuing 20-minute gunfight left two Israeli soldiers dead and three others injured, while both gunmen were also killed. In the aftermath, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to respond ferociously, stating that Israel would act to destroy the area.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also visited the site of the attack, where he was filmed wearing body armor in front of a building being demolished. Smotrich ordered the immediate destruction of what he termed illegal structures and called for a military campaign similar to those seen in Gaza and Lebanon.
Impact on Civilians and Local Response
The Hebron municipality reported that approximately 300 families had been evicted, with many seeking shelter in community halls and the homes of relatives. Civil rights activist Issa Amro criticized the actions as collective punishment, noting that innocent families are paying the price for an event they had no connection to. He expressed concern that the suffering of residents is being used as political material ahead of Israel's upcoming elections.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement claiming the targeted area was home to a clan associated with Hamas, from which the attackers originated. The IDF stated that the operation aimed to remove structures built in violation of the law to mitigate security risks, adding that civilians who wished to evacuate were permitted to leave through designated screening points.
