Israeli Military Operation Ends in Hebron After 10 Days of Blockade and Destruction

The Israeli military concluded its ten-day operation in Hebron on Monday, which involved a blockade, forced displacement, and destruction of homes and infrastructure in the southern West Bank city. Upon the return of Palestinian families to the affected areas, the extent of the damage became apparent, impacting residences, infrastructure, and the local economy. The operation resulted in the displacement of over 3,300 Palestinians and disrupted the education of approximately 80,000 students.

Governor of Hebron, Khalid Dudin, announced the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire city, stating that Palestinian security forces have resumed control. He confirmed that displaced families can now return to their homes, and relevant authorities are assessing the damage and providing necessary aid. The operation began on October 23rd, following a shooting incident where two Palestinians killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three others. The Israeli army subsequently killed the perpetrators and demolished their homes.

During the ten-day operation, the Israeli army imposed a wide closure on Hebron and its surroundings, seizing Palestinian homes in the Al-Jalad'a and Deir Bahah neighborhoods and converting some into military outposts. This was accompanied by forced evacuations, home demolitions, and infrastructure destruction. Hundreds of families were forced to leave their homes, and the blockade extended throughout the Hebron Governorate, affecting the movement of trade, residents, and goods.

The Hebron Municipality reported significant losses, estimating direct economic damages at over 12 million shekels (approximately $3.8 million) daily. Infrastructure damage exceeded 6 million shekels (around $1.9 million), with health and environmental sectors losing about 500,000 shekels ($160,000). The operation led to the demolition of 15 homes and facilities and the closure of 327 shops.

The withdrawal followed internal disagreements within the Israeli political and military establishment regarding the operation's continuation. Israeli media reported that Defense Minister Israel Katz agreed to the army's request to end the operation, provided a formal mechanism for future evacuations is established and a warning is issued to the Palestinian Authority. Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had previously stated that the operation's objectives were met, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reportedly delayed a decision on ending it until after Israeli elections.

A high-level UN delegation, including representatives from the World Food Programme, UNFPA, OCHA, and UNICEF, met with Governor Dudin to be briefed on the humanitarian, economic, and social consequences of the operation. The delegation was shown visual evidence of the forced displacement and difficult humanitarian conditions. The end of the operation comes amid a rise in Israeli attacks in the governorate, with the Wall and Settlements Resistance Commission reporting 568 attacks in October alone, carried out by both forces and settlers.