Palestinians return to damaged Hebron homes after Israeli withdrawal

The Straits Times reported on November 2 that, following the withdrawal of Israeli troops, Palestinian residents had begun going back to their damaged residences in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron. The newspaper described a 10-day operation that displaced more than 3,000 people; Middle East Eye separately reported that more than 530 families had been forced from their homes.¹²

Displacement and return

Middle East Eye reported on October 30 that Israeli forces had imposed a citywide lockdown. The outlet said those uprooted comprised over a thousand children, among them 200 toddlers. Residents told the outlet that soldiers assaulted people who tried to return to collect essential possessions or medication.²

The accounts differ on the operation's duration: The Straits Times described it as lasting 10 days, while Middle East Eye called it a week-long raid. Both reported the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of residents who had been made to leave their homes.¹²

Hebron resident Tamara Obeid told The Straits Times that on October 23, Israeli troops entered her residence and led her handcuffed husband outdoors. Describing the raid, she said: “The children were screaming.” Her account also described damage to the home and threats against the family.¹

Attack and military response

The operation followed an October 23 attack at a Hebron checkpoint in which Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers. Middle East Eye identified the attackers as brothers Ahmad and Hammouda al-Jaabeh and reported that three other soldiers were wounded. Both outlets reported that the two assailants were killed.¹²

The Straits Times said the attack prompted Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's prime minister, to authorize the operation. Middle East Eye reported that Israeli authorities described the forced evacuation as part of a search for gunmen responsible for killing the soldiers.¹²

The Israeli military said its troops searched locations, detained and questioned suspects, and seized four weapons, vests and other military equipment, according to The Straits Times. An Israeli military official quoted by Middle East Eye said activities in the Hebron operation area had been completed before troops withdrew.¹²

Extent of damage unclear

Both outlets reported that troops demolished the assailants' homes. Middle East Eye said the buildings had been surrounded and the area closed off beforehand. According to The Straits Times, the gunmen's wives and children had occupied the homes before Palestinians were forced to leave the area.¹²

Local officials told The Straits Times that homes, shops, roads and factories had also been demolished, but the newspaper said the overall scale was unclear. It reported Palestinian protests over the operation and described a bulldozer removing rubble and earth barriers as workers and security forces occupied an alleyway.¹