Why Is Israel Demolishing Palestinian Homes in Hebron?
News Desk
HEBRON: The Israeli military has launched demolitions of Palestinian homes and ordered residents to leave parts of the occupied West Bank city of Hebron following a shooting that killed two Israeli soldiers and left three others lightly injured.
The incident, which Israeli authorities described as a serious security attack, prompted a sweeping military response, including a citywide lockdown, roadblocks and search operations targeting suspected militant activity. Both Palestinian attackers were shot dead, according to Israeli authorities.
The demolitions and evacuation orders have raised fresh concerns over the displacement of Palestinian residents, with Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem condemning what it described as a plan to forcibly remove people from a neighbourhood in Hebron.
Deadly shooting triggers military crackdown
According to the Israeli military, two armed Palestinians opened fire on a military checkpoint in Hebron on Friday, killing two soldiers and injuring three others.
Following the shooting, Israeli forces tightened restrictions on movement across the city and launched searches for potential accomplices and weapons.
In a joint statement, the Israeli military and security services said additional security measures were being implemented in parts of Hebron and the nearby town of Halhul. These measures included road closures, checkpoints and operations to locate suspects.
Security forces also recovered a vehicle allegedly used by the attackers. Israeli authorities said the vehicle contained a large quantity of ammunition, which they believe was intended for a larger-scale attack.
Military officials indicated that counter-terrorism operations could continue for several days. Residents seeking to leave the restricted areas would be directed through three designated routes and subjected to security checks and questioning.
Palestinian homes face demolition
As the military operation expanded, Israeli forces began demolishing structures in the Farsh al-Hawa area of Hebron and instructed residents to vacate their properties.
Israeli authorities said the structures being targeted were illegal and posed a security threat. However, the demolition campaign has drawn criticism from Palestinian rights advocates, who warn that the measures could result in the forced displacement of local families.
Footage obtained by CNN reportedly showed an Israeli soldier giving residents just five minutes to leave a building before its evacuation.
The short deadline has highlighted the uncertainty facing residents as military operations and demolition activities continue in their neighbourhood.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military would fundamentally change the area associated with the attackers. He also pledged searches of homes and action against any weapons or militant infrastructure discovered during the operations.
The Israeli military’s response is expected to extend beyond the immediate site of the shooting as security forces continue their searches and enforce movement restrictions.
Rights group warns of forced displacement
B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organisation, condemned the reported plan to remove Palestinian residents from a neighbourhood in Hebron.
Yuli Novak, the organisation’s executive director, said Israeli leaders were signalling an intention to carry out a large-scale eviction of Palestinians and destroy their homes.
The criticism adds to longstanding concerns over demolitions, movement restrictions and displacement affecting Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank.
While Israeli authorities have defended the measures on security grounds, human rights advocates have raised concerns about their impact on civilians who live in the affected areas.
The demolitions in Farsh al-Hawa began by Friday afternoon, according to reports, as residents faced orders to leave their properties amid heightened military activity.
Israel vows continued operations
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, a senior Israeli military official, described the shooting as a “serious attack” and said the soldiers’ rapid response had helped prevent further casualties.
Israeli officials have maintained that the recovered ammunition and circumstances of the shooting point to the possibility of a larger planned assault.
The military has said its operations will continue for several days, with security forces searching properties, restricting access to affected areas and targeting what they identify as militant infrastructure.
For Hebron’s Palestinian residents, however, the aftermath of the shooting has brought renewed uncertainty, as military restrictions and home demolitions threaten to disrupt daily life and force families from their homes.
The developments underscore the continuing tensions in the occupied West Bank, where security operations, violence and disputes over Palestinian property remain deeply contentious issues.
