35 Hectares Destroyed in Hebron Ahead of Israeli Vote

Israeli elections are scheduled for four days from now, a timeline that local officials in Hebron say has accelerated a military operation that has left much of the Ein Deir Baha district in ruins.

The Hebron municipality reported that 35 hectares, or 86 acres, of land were destroyed or marked for demolition by Saturday afternoon. That destruction forced approximately 1,500 people from their homes. The city of 250,000 residents was sealed off, with checkpoints established at every point of entry.

The operation began after two gunmen attacked an Israeli military checkpoint outside the city on Friday. A 20-minute exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and three others, while both gunmen were also killed. Local authorities described the subsequent demolitions as collective punishment, alleging that Ein Deir Baha was the home district of the attackers.

Videos provided by a resident showed the extent of the damage, depicting entire urban blocks reduced to rubble. One clip captured soldiers marking Palestinian houses with black crosses, while another showed a bulldozer removing a stone wall on a hillside. A large residential building belonging to a prominent family was draped in Israeli flags and used as a temporary military headquarters.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the checkpoint site and pledged a strong response. Netanyahu stated that Israel would act to destroy the area. Smotrich, who is running in a smaller coalition party, was filmed in body armor during the demolitions. He ordered the immediate demolition of structures adjacent to the attack site and called for a comprehensive military campaign similar to those in Gaza and Lebanon.

A municipality spokesperson confirmed that about 300 families have been evicted. Some residents have sought shelter with relatives, while the city has opened community halls and children's play areas to house others. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli plans include displacing a further 2,500 people.

Issa Amro, a Hebron civil rights activist, condemned the operation, noting that his sister's family was among those displaced. He said the suffering of residents was being turned into political material for the upcoming elections. The Israeli army was approached for comment on the operations and the videos showing the destruction.

Residents and officials remain in the district as the election approaches, with the municipality continuing to manage the displacement of families from the flattened neighborhood.