Israeli forces stormed the occupied city of Hebron in the West Bank on Saturday, displacing around 250 families. This action came after a deadly attack on two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint, prompting Israeli officials to promise decisive actions.
Displacement of Families and Reactions
Residents of Hebron neighborhoods reported that Israeli military forces announced evacuations at midnight using loudspeakers, urging them to leave the area as quickly as possible. These evacuations were particularly difficult for elderly families and patients. Hajazi Shawar Al-Tamimi, a 70-year-old vendor living in the neighborhood, said: "I woke up at 1 AM and was told I had to leave. When I asked how long this situation would last, they said 'until further notice.'"
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He also noted that for some residents, leaving the neighborhood had become a dilemma. "For example, my wife’s mother, who is 90 years old and ill, had to be carried out of the neighborhood." According to him, these actions are driven by Netanyahu's desire to win the elections based on "the blood of the Palestinian people."
Military Operations and Their Consequences
Following this attack, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, announced plans for a large-scale military operation, stating that this action would be unprecedented in the history of the occupation of the West Bank. He also hinted at the possibility of expanding military operations to other areas, saying that "there is a big surprise for the Palestinian Authority."
Israel's military actions in Hebron have also led to the destruction of some buildings near the site of the attack, and residents of the area are concerned about the fate of their homes. Khalid Dudin, the governor of Hebron, described this operation as a form of "collective punishment" and emphasized that there is no guarantee against its expansion.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority has urged its diplomats to take immediate and beyond-condemnation actions to prevent the forced displacement of residents. This comes as reports indicate that settler violence in the West Bank is on the rise, with 672 incidents recorded in the past 26 days.
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