The operation began after two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others at a checkpoint in Hebron on October 23. In response, Israeli forces launched a major operation in the city, displacing about 2,000 residents, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. In the neighborhood of Ein Deir Baha, streets were left deserted, and buildings marked with Xs. “They will not be allowed to return… until we’ve finished dealing with all the Hamas issues in Hebron,” Katz said.

The Israeli military announced that Palestinian workers would be barred from entering Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones, from Sunday through Monday. A full closure of crossings will be enforced on Tuesday. The military said it had operated in 40 areas over two days, apprehending approximately 40 suspects, including those affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a tight re-election race, has emphasized a hardline security stance in response to the attack. He vowed to “destroy this place” and announced a major operation “on a scale not seen since Israel first occupied the West Bank in 1967.” Right-wing ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have also pledged to demolish Palestinian buildings and enforce strict security measures.

The operation has led to widespread displacement in Hebron, with residents reporting being forced to leave their homes overnight. Higazi Shawer al-Tamimi, a 70-year-old shopkeeper, said soldiers told him to leave “until further notice,” and some elderly residents had to be carried out due to their condition. The Palestinian Authority has condemned the measures as “collective punishment” and called for international pressure on Israel to protect affected residents.

Amid the security-focused campaign, a large anti-government demonstration was held in Tel Aviv on Saturday, organized by the October Council, a group formed by families of victims and hostages from the 2023 Hamas attack. The group demanded accountability for the government’s failure to prevent that attack and called for a state commission of inquiry.

Hamas, while not claiming responsibility for the Hebron attack, hailed the incident.