Israeli operation in Hebron displaces an estimated 1,200 to 1,500 Palestinians, local officials say

Summary

Israeli forces have driven Palestinians from their homes in Hebron in the occupied West Bank, which local Palestinian authorities describe as collective punishment for a Palestinian attack on an army checkpoint outside the city that killed two Israeli soldiers. Figures differ by source. Citing the Wafa news agency, Middle East Eye reports that more than 1,500 people have been driven from the Deir Bahha and al-Jalda areas since Friday, leaving more than 200 families homeless, and Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin has called for international intervention. Dudin told Wafa that Israel planned to force out a further 2,500 people in the coming hours, and said around one-third of Hebron has been targeted. The Hebron municipality estimated that about 1,500 people had been evicted by Saturday afternoon in the Ein Deir Baha district, and that 35 hectares had been destroyed or marked for destruction. Israeli troops have levelled a neighbourhood, according to the Guardian, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed 'to destroy this place' in retaliation for the checkpoint attack. Checkpoints have sealed off the whole city of 250,000 people.

Timeline

1. Middle East Eye

   24 Oct 2026, 11:17 UTCSource ↗

   Reports, citing the Wafa news agency, that Israeli forces since Friday have driven hundreds of Palestinians from their homes in the Deir Bahha and al-Jalda areas of Hebron, leaving more than 200 families homeless, and that Governor Khaled Dudin has called for international intervention.

2. The Straits Times

   24 Oct 2026, 12:27 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that around 1,200 Palestinians have been displaced in Hebron as Israel begins a military operation, a day after a Palestinian attack killed two Israeli soldiers.

3. The Guardian

   24 Oct 2026, 13:17 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Israeli troops have levelled a neighbourhood in Hebron, with the municipality estimating about 1,500 people evicted and 35 hectares destroyed or marked for destruction by Saturday afternoon, and that Netanyahu vowed 'to destroy this place' in retaliation for the checkpoint attack.

4. NDTV

   24 Oct 2026, 14:08 UTCSource ↗

   Reports, citing Hebron Governor Khaled Dudin, that around one-third of Hebron has been targeted by Israeli forces, which have displaced families after a deadly attack.