IDF ends controversial Hebron operation after days of terror probe, forced evacuations
A petition alleges troops took over some homes and turned them into military positions, while demolishing civilian buildings and requiring traders to remove goods from their businesses.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) concluded its controversial operation in the Hebron neighborhood on Monday, following days of a terror investigation and forced evacuations. According to the Jerusalem Post, the IDF's exit from the area may have occurred as early as last weekend, a decision made despite earlier rejections from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Initially, the IDF occupied the area in response to a deadly Hamas terrorist attack on Friday morning, claiming the attackers were linked to a Hamas clan in the neighborhood. However, the IDF did not present concrete evidence to connect most of the 2,000 evacuated Palestinians to any specific crime.
Previously, the IDF had recommended allowing the evacuated Palestinians to return, stating that there was no clear military reason to remain. This situation differs from previous forced evacuations in areas like Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur al-Shams, where the IDF provided more information about the offenses of the affected Palestinians. In Hebron, the IDF offered little information about the accused, citing only familial connections to a Hamas-linked clan.
The operation has been met with criticism, with Adalah, a human rights organization, petitioning the High Court of Justice to halt the forced evacuations and demolitions. They argue that the scale and indefinite nature of the displacements violate international humanitarian law, particularly Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The petition alleges that the IDF seized homes, demolished civilian infrastructure, and restricted residents' access to essential services, including medical treatment and emergency vehicle movement.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
