In Hebron, located in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians have started to return to their homes following a 10-day Israeli military operation. The United Nations reports that this operation displaced over 3,000 people in the city.
The operation was ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian gunmen at a Hebron checkpoint on October 23. The assailants were killed during the attack.
Military Statements and Actions
The Israeli military, through an anonymous official, confirmed the withdrawal on Monday. Soldiers conducted extensive searches throughout the city, detained individuals for questioning, and seized four weapons along with several vests and additional military equipment.
Impact on Residents
The return of residents revealed the extent of damage. Tamara Obeid, a Palestinian woman, recounted her distress upon seeing her home in disarray. “They entered the house in a very terrifying way,” she explained, detailing the night’s events when Israeli forces raided her home. She described the fear as doors were blown open and weapons were aimed at her.
Obeid’s husband was handcuffed and taken outside during this incident. On Friday, Israel’s military demolished the homes of the attackers, some of which were near Obeid’s residence.
Destruction and Protests
Local officials reported demolitions of other homes, shops, roads, and factories. The full extent of these demolitions remains unclear. On Monday, efforts to clear rubble and debris included bulldozers and civil defense workers.
Protests erupted in Hebron last week as a response to the military operation. The city hosts hundreds of Jewish settlers residing amidst a large Palestinian population.
Escalating Violence
The violence in the West Bank has intensified since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, followed by the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza. This situation has led to an increase in assaults by militant settlers on Palestinians, as well as Israeli military raids and Palestinian attacks on Israelis.
(Reporting by Emily Rose; Editing by Tom Perry and Andrew Heavens)
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