About 1,200 forced from homes as Israel launches Hebron operation
The army began house searches and demolitions in two Hebron neighbourhoods after gunmen killed two soldiers at a checkpoint; the PA called it collective punishment.
Israeli forces forced around 1,200 Palestinians out of their homes in Hebron on Saturday as a large-scale operation got under way in the al-Jaladah and Ein Deir Baha neighbourhoods, according to a Palestinian official quoted by Reuters.
The operation followed a shooting on Friday at a checkpoint at the city's entrance in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and others wounded. The army said both gunmen were shot dead. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the city sealed and promised house-to-house raids and demolitions, the UN said.
“We are calling on officials to stand by us because we are not involved in any of this.”
Majdi Nasser, Hebron resident forced from his home
Hebron's mayor, Yousef al-Jabari, said shops, workshops, homes and roads had been demolished and that about 1,300 more people risked losing their homes. He accused the government of using the operation to court settler votes before Tuesday's election. The Ibrahimi Mosque was closed to Friday worshippers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was alarmed by the closures, which his spokesman said severely restrict movement and access to services.
Reported from
- Reuters via Al-Monitor24 Oct
- UN News23 Oct
This story summarises the reporting above in Shasha Post’s own words. Spotted an error? Tell us: corrections are made in the story and noted at its foot.