By Salma El-Sakka
Large-scale military operations in Hebron have led to the displacement of nearly 2,000 Palestinians, as Israeli forces seized homes and flattened industrial areas following a fatal shooting of two soldiers. The escalation comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich conduct high-profile visits to the area amid a tight election campaign.
Widespread Displacement and Property Destruction
The neighborhood of Farsh al-Hawa was flattened by bulldozers, leaving only rubble where car workshops and a ceramics plant once stood. In the Ein Deir Baha district, residents reported being forced from their homes by military vehicles under the cover of night. Local authorities state that approximately 370 families, totaling nearly 2,000 people, have been displaced by the sweep.
Fahed Ahmaro, a local imam, described being forced to flee with his family after military forces arrived at his home. He reported that his house was subsequently breached and his belongings destroyed. Similarly, 77-year-old Abdul Halim al-Tamimi stated his family was given only ten minutes to vacate their villa, which has since been converted into a military headquarters adorned with Israeli flags.
Controversy Over Military Justifications
The Israeli military claimed that the displaced population belongs to the Jaba’a clan, which it alleged was associated with Hamas and linked to the recent gunmen. However, local residents have disputed this, stating the clan is small and has no connection to the attack. Many locals view the operations as a form of political maneuvering ahead of the upcoming elections.
Hebron’s mayor, Yousef al-Jabari, condemned the actions as collective punishment, accusing the government of using Palestinian land and displacement to achieve political objectives. As of Sunday evening, the city remained largely sealed off with heavy steel barriers, restricting vehicle access and impacting daily life and commerce.
