35 Hectares Wiped Out as Troops Flatten Hebron District Ahead of Vote

Israeli forces have razed a significant portion of the Ein Deir Baha district in Hebron, a move local authorities say has displaced approximately 1,500 people in the span of a single day. The Hebron municipality estimates that 35 hectares, or 86 acres, have been destroyed or marked for immediate demolition. This intense operation comes with the city under a strict seal, with checkpoints established at every entry point, effectively isolating the population of 250,000 from the outside world.

The scale of the destruction has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders, who characterize the action as collective punishment. The trigger for the military response was a violent incident on Friday, when two gunmen attacked an Israeli army checkpoint outside the city. A twenty-minute exchange of fire resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and the wounding of three others. Both assailants were killed during the engagement, and military records identified their home district as Ein Deir Baha, the same area now facing extensive demolition.

Visual evidence collected by residents paints a stark picture of the aftermath. Footage shared widely on social media shows entire urban blocks reduced to rubble, with no structures remaining intact in certain sections. One video captures soldiers marking Palestinian homes with black crosses, a practice often associated with targeted demolition. In another clip, heavy machinery is seen dismantling a stone retaining wall on a hillside, while a third shows a large residential building draped in the Israeli flag. Residents indicate this specific structure belonged to a prominent local family and has been converted into a temporary military command post.

The timing of the operation has intensified political scrutiny, as Israeli general elections are scheduled for four days from now. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the checkpoint site on Saturday. Netanyahu declared that Israel would act to destroy the location, while Smotrich, who is campaigning with a smaller coalition partner, was filmed in body armor observing the demolition of a row of buildings he labeled illegal. Smotrich called for a comprehensive military campaign similar to those conducted in Gaza and Lebanon, asserting he had ordered the immediate removal of structures adjacent to the attack site.

Local civil rights groups are questioning the proportionality of the response. Issa Amro, a Hebron activist, described the situation as a punishment for an act the wider community did not commit or support. He noted that his own sister’s family was among those forced to flee their homes. Amro expressed uncertainty about the long-term intent behind the operation, wondering if it is primarily a strategy to boost electoral support or if it signals a more permanent shift in military policy for the region post-election.

The displacement is continuing to grow. A spokesperson for the Hebron municipality stated that around 300 families had been formally evicted, though the total number of displaced individuals is significantly higher. Many have sought refuge with friends and relatives, while the municipality has opened community halls and children's play areas to accommodate those without other options. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli plans include displacing an additional 2,500 people from the area, suggesting the operation may not be over.

The Israeli military was contacted for comment regarding the scope of the demolitions and the visual evidence of the destruction but had not responded as of the latest reporting. The situation in Hebron now stands as a focal point for voters, with the image of flattened neighborhoods serving as a backdrop to the final stretch of the election campaign.

As the dust settles, the question remains whether this operation will define the coming government's approach to the West Bank. For the residents of Ein Deir Baha, the immediate concern is survival and stability. With the city sealed and the political clock ticking down, the next few days will determine if the destruction is a temporary measure or the beginning of a sustained military campaign.