Palestinian Authority says 2,670 displaced in Israel’s Hebron operation

RAMALLAH, Oct 26 - The Palestinian Authority reported that around 2,700 individuals were displaced due to a recent Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Hebron, following an attack that resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. On Friday, Israeli forces entered the Ein Deir Baha neighborhood, the area where the assailants resided, and ordered residents to vacate their homes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier promised a significant operation in the occupied territory. The Palestinian prime minister's office confirmed on X that over 2,670 Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes in Hebron, with the majority being women, children, and the elderly. According to the Palestinian Authority, a convoy of Israeli military and police vehicles, accompanied by soldiers, was observed in Hebron on Sunday, navigating through a street that had been cordoned off to civilian traffic by parked vehicles and motorcycles.

Local shopkeeper Higazi al-Tamimi, who also holds a leadership position in the evacuated neighborhood, recounted being physically assaulted by Israeli soldiers as he tried to reach his home. Al-Tamimi described being struck on his legs, chest, and shoulders, with one soldier even hitting him on the head before being pushed backward and safely reaching a distant area.