Israeli military forces continued their operations in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Wednesday, marking the sixth consecutive day of the campaign. According to eyewitnesses, troops conducted extensive raids and incursions across various neighborhoods within the city and surrounding towns. The operations targeted multiple Palestinian residences, where soldiers searched homes and detained residents.
Witnesses reported that the Israeli army deployed additional forces accompanied by armored vehicles to areas in Hebron, including the Fawwar refugee camp located south of the city. These movements coincided with tightened security measures at the entry points to Hebron. Video footage documented the arrest of Palestinians at military checkpoints near the Jaldah roundabout, where individuals were subjected to searches and harassment.
The escalation began last Friday following an attack carried out by two Palestinians that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others. The Israeli military subsequently killed the attackers. Following this incident, the army imposed a closure on Hebron and its surrounding villages. On Tuesday evening, the Hebron Municipality announced that the number of displaced persons had reached 4,969, comprising 780 families, due to the ongoing military aggression.
During the initial two days of the operation, widespread forced displacements occurred, affecting hundreds of Palestinians. The military actions included the demolition of houses, facilities, and commercial establishments, as well as the destruction of infrastructure. Some residential buildings were converted into military barracks. Since Friday until Monday, the Israeli army arrested 85 Palestinians in the Hebron governorate, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Club.
This operation takes place amid rising attacks by the Israeli military and settlers against Palestinians throughout the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem. These incidents have intensified since the start of the war on Gaza in October 2023. The violence encompasses killings, arrests, home demolitions, arson targeting mosques and vehicles, land confiscation, restrictions on farmers accessing fields, forced displacement of communities, and expansion of settlements.
