Netanyahu Orders Sweeping Hebron Offensive Days Before West Bank Vote

For many residents in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, the disruption began on Friday when armored vehicles sealed off key thoroughfares and construction machinery began tearing through established neighborhoods. The immediate impact for the 200,000 inhabitants has been a sharp restriction on daily movement and a sudden uncertainty regarding shelter. Local authorities report that hundreds of households have already lost their places of residence, with some families forced to sleep outside after being given minimal notice to vacate their properties.

The scale of the displacement is significant relative to the area affected. City officials estimate that the military aims to remove approximately 2,500 individuals from a compact urban zone measuring about 0.35 square kilometers. While the governor and the deputy mayor confirm that at least 200 families have been displaced so far, the mayor believes the operation is designed to clear a much larger population from the designated sectors. This concentrated effort targets specific districts, resulting in the leveling of entire streets as seen in footage shared by residents and local observers.

The operation is focused primarily on the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods. Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari described the scope of the destruction, noting that damage extends beyond private dwellings to include commercial establishments, industrial facilities, and public infrastructure. He detailed scenes of houses marked with spray paint for demolition and residents being instructed to leave without their vehicles. The mayor stated that the military presence has created a tense atmosphere, with people unsure if they will be permitted to return to their belongings in the coming days.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the campaign on Friday, linking it directly to a fatal attack that occurred at a nearby checkpoint. Two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen, while three others sustained injuries. Both assailants were killed during the engagement. In response, the prime minister declared that structures near the attack site and the specific neighborhoods from which the gunmen originated would be demolished. This action follows a common practice in the West Bank, where homes of suspected attackers are frequently razed, a tactic that Israeli rights organizations have frequently criticized as a form of collective punishment.

Netanyahu framed the current offensive in Hebron as part of a broader strategy, comparing it to earlier military campaigns in the northern refugee camps during 2025. Those previous operations resulted in the destruction of hundreds of homes and the displacement of tens of thousands of residents. The prime minister further indicated that he has reviewed plans for what would be the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967, though he did not specify a timeline for that potential initiative. It remains unclear whether the current actions in Hebron serve as a precursor to that larger campaign or are a standalone response to the checkpoint attack.

The timing of the announcement coincides with a critical period in Israeli politics, occurring just four days before general elections. Netanyahu, whose political platform emphasizes security, suspended his party's campaign events on Friday morning to travel to Hebron. He was seen wearing protective armor while posting video updates from the scene. In those communications, he outlined the tactical goals: evacuating residents, searching homes for weapons, and dismantling what he described as terrorist infrastructure. He also warned the Palestinian Authority of a significant upcoming development, suggesting a major shift in policy or action.

The Palestinian Authority has responded by calling for immediate international intervention, arguing that verbal condemnation is no longer sufficient to prevent forced displacement. Within the Israeli government, the reaction has been mixed but largely supportive of a hardline approach. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocated for a campaign in the West Bank mirroring those seen in Gaza and Lebanon. Meanwhile, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority entirely, signaling a desire for more drastic administrative changes in the territory.

Local leaders view the political context as a primary driver of the current intensity. Mayor al-Jaabari suggested to journalists that the operation is largely motivated by the upcoming vote, with the prime minister and his cabinet seeking to appeal to far-right voters and the settler community. The Israeli Defense Forces stated in a social media post that they have dozens of targets across the West Bank and that operations will continue for several days. The military did not immediately respond to requests for detailed comments regarding the specific objectives in Hebron.