Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered mass demolitions and forced displacement in Hebron following the killing of two soldiers by gunmen near a checkpoint.
Israeli officials announced a siege on Hebron and the nearby town of Halhul, with plans to forcibly displace residents from the neighborhoods of the attackers. The first demolitions began shortly after the attack, with the far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, overseeing the destruction of a Palestinian home near the site of the firefight. The home was targeted for lacking permits, though no connection was established between its owners and the attackers.
Israel’s high court issued a temporary order to halt the demolitions after a human rights lawyer filed a petition arguing that the actions violated international law on collective punishment. The defense minister, Israel Katz, stated that Hebron would be targeted in the same manner as the Jenin refugee camp, where nearly 20,000 people have been displaced. Netanyahu also announced plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967, though no specific date has been set.
Why it matters
The campaign threatens to displace thousands of Palestinians in Hebron, mirroring tactics used in Gaza and Jenin.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
The Israeli high court’s decision on the temporary order to halt demolitions and the timeline for the announced military operation.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.