Israeli forces withdraw from Hebron after four-day West Bank operation

Israeli forces have concluded a four-day military operation in the southern neighborhood of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, withdrawing late on Thursday. The incursion, which included widespread arrests, house raids, and road closures, left residents emerging from a period of severe restrictions and assessing damage to property.

Details of the Military Campaign

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the Israeli army detained at least 10 Palestinians and conducted on-site interrogations of dozens more after raiding and searching homes. Main and secondary roads were sealed, and several vehicles were damaged. Israeli media reported the operation involved searching 350 homes and resulted in 14 arrests. The military had announced the campaign on Monday, stating it targeted the Jabal Jawhar area due to security assessments citing increased armed activity, clan disputes, and illegal weapons.

Residents' Response and Praise for Media

As troops withdrew, residents returned to the streets, expressing relief after days of tight closures. Families in southern Hebron issued a statement calling for maintained community unity as the strongest means of confronting occupation policies. They also praised journalists and media crews for what they termed professional and responsible coverage during the siege, stating that independent reporting helped convey events on the ground and challenge the Israeli narrative without exaggeration.

Context of Escalation in the West Bank

The operation occurred in Hebron's H2 area, which remains under full Israeli military control according to the 1997 Hebron Protocol. This division places the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque under Israeli authority. The raid is part of a significant escalation of Israeli military activity and settler violence across the West Bank since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. According to Palestinian figures, this period has seen over 1,100 Palestinians killed, nearly 11,000 wounded, and more than 21,000 arrested in the West Bank, underscoring the severe and ongoing impact of the occupation on daily life.