Israel Expands Expulsions in Occupied West Bank Region

Israeli Forces Implement Sweeping Military Operation in Hebron

A large-scale military operation has been underway in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, resulting in the forced displacement of over 3,000 Palestinians. According to reports, the Israeli army has imposed a lockdown on the city and detained at least 71 individuals over the past four days.

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society has confirmed that a total of 488 families, comprising 3,171 people, have been displaced across the wider governorate. Mayor Yousef al-Jabari stated that 3,043 of those displaced are from within Hebron city limits alone.

Separately, the Israeli military has continued its demolition campaign, resulting in the destruction of residential buildings, factories, and roads. The crackdown has also included road blockages, home raids, and assaults on Palestinians.

The operation began on Friday, following a shooting incident near the city that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has justified the operation, stating that it is part of an ongoing effort to maintain security in the region.

Municipal authorities have reported that the majority of displaced Palestinians are women, children, and elderly individuals. The Israeli military has converted dozens of homes into military barracks and field interrogation centers.

Experts have described the measures taken as a calculated effort to permanently displace the Palestinian population. Professor Noman Amr stated that the displacement can be categorized into three types: evacuation for demolition, evacuation for revenge and collective punishment, and evacuation for military uses.

The operation has been linked to previous campaigns in the occupied West Bank, including the “Jenin camp model” which involves forced evacuation of residents, inspecting homes, confiscating weapons, and bulldozing roads. Rights groups have compared the current attack on Hebron with the tactics used during the “Iron Wall” operation in early 2025, which resulted in significant displacement and destruction.

The Israeli government has announced plans to apply this model to other areas, citing security concerns. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has reported that the resulting destruction left the Jenin camp “nearly uninhabitable”.

Source: Al Jazeera