IDF Levels Hebron Blocks Before Vote

The Israel Defense Forces initiated a major demolition campaign in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Friday. The operation targeted the Ein Deir Baha and Farsh al-Hawa neighborhoods, resulting in the destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Local officials reported that the military sealed off the city, restricting movement for its 200,000 residents.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation following an attack on a checkpoint where two Israeli soldiers were killed and three were wounded. Both Palestinian gunmen were killed in the raid. Netanyahu stated that buildings near the attack site and the neighborhoods the gunmen came from would be destroyed. He described the action as part of a broader strategy to remove weapons and terrorist infrastructure house by house.

Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari stated that dozens of families were forced to spend the night outdoors, some without their vehicles. Houses were marked for demolition with spray paint. The mayor estimated that the military intends to displace 2,500 people from an area of roughly 0.35 square kilometers. The city’s governor and deputy mayor confirmed that at least 200 families had already been displaced.

The IDF said in a social media statement that it had dozens of targets across the West Bank and that operations would continue for several days. The military did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specific scope of the Hebron sweep. Footage shared online showed bulldozers leveling at least one entire street.

The timing of the operation coincides with Israel’s general election, which is scheduled for four days from Friday. Netanyahu cancelled his party’s campaign events for the morning and traveled to Hebron wearing protective armor. He posted a video from the scene, reaffirming his campaign promise of security. The mayor argued that the election was the primary driver of the military’s actions, aimed at securing votes from the far right and settlers.

Israeli rights groups have previously criticized the practice of demolishing the homes of Palestinians suspected of attacks as collective punishment. Netanyahu compared the current sweep to earlier campaigns in northern Palestinian refugee camps in 2025, where thousands were displaced. He also mentioned reviewing plans for the largest West Bank military operation since 1967, though he did not specify when those plans would be executed.

The Palestinian Authority called for urgent international action beyond condemnation to prevent further displacement. Within the Israeli government, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged a campaign similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Netanyahu told an Israeli television channel that he had a very big surprise in store for the Palestinian leadership.