Israel Escalates West Bank Offensive: Mass Displacement, Demolitions, and Arrests in Al Khalil

Israeli forces have initiated a multi-day offensive in the occupied West Bank city of Al Khalil, resulting in the forced displacement of dozens of families, demolition of buildings, home raids, and the arrest of at least 13 individuals, according to Wafa news agency. The Israeli military has stated the operation will continue for "several days," with residents permitted to exit through three designated points after undergoing "interrogation and inspection." All access routes into the city have been sealed, Wafa reported. This campaign follows a shooting incident on Friday near Al Khalil (also known as Hebron) that injured five people and killed two Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint. Following the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a "full closure" of the West Bank. The Israeli military announced it had killed two suspects armed with a rifle and a handgun. Two of the individuals injured in the initial shooting were reported to be in critical condition. Palestinian media identified the deceased as 27-year-old family members Mohammad Jaaba and Firas Jaaba, both from Al Khalil, who the military claims were planning a "large-scale" attack on Israelis. The region contains numerous illegal Israeli settlements. Wafa also reported that on Friday, Israeli forces demolished a residential building in Farsh Al Hawa, west of the city, and restricted movement in and out of the area.

Palestinian activist Issa Amro, based in Al Khalil, stated on Saturday that he was unable to leave his home. "At least 250 families have been displaced in Hebron, including my own sister, Hayat, and her seven children," he posted on X. "Homes and shops are being demolished by the Israeli military. Around 250,000 people are trapped in the city, while 1,000 families in H2 remain in their homes. We are being collectively punished for something we neither did nor supported." The Palestinian Authority reported that Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa discussed the needs of Al Khalil's residents with Mayor Yousef Al Jaabari, addressing the "incursions by Israeli occupation forces into several areas and neighbourhoods and forced evacuation operations affecting hundreds of Palestinians, most of them women, children, older persons and patients." Israeli rights organization B'Tselem condemned the military campaign, labeling it as part of "ethnic cleansing" efforts. Executive director Yuli Novak urged "governments and international institutions to act now, using all means available under international law, to prevent the forcible displacement of Palestinian civilians, collective punishment and extensive unlawful destruction in Hebron." He noted that Israeli leaders "are openly declaring their intentions and actions on the ground have already begun." Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously confirmed Israel's intent to enter neighborhoods, remove residents, and "dismantle terror infrastructure." Defence Minister Israel Katz further elaborated on the operation via X, stating, “The Jenin refugee camp model arrives in Hebron,” referencing the destroyed camp in the northern West Bank. B'Tselem indicated that at least 33,000 Palestinians have been displaced by Israeli actions in the northern West Bank. Israel is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections in three days, with national security being a central theme of Mr. Netanyahu's campaign.