Israeli troops have left Hebron in the southern West Bank following a ten-day military operation. Governor Khaled Dudin confirmed that Palestinian security forces have regained control, allowing thousands of displaced residents to return home.
The October 23 atack that sparked the siege
The military operation in Hebron began on October 23, 2026, as a direct response to a shooting attack. According to the report, the initial violence resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and left three others wounded. israeli forces responded by killing the two individuals responsible for the attack, which then escalated into a city-wide military siege.
For ten days, the Israeli military imposed strict closures across Hebron and several nearby villages. These restrictions effectively paralyzed the region, severely limiting the movement of essential goods and the daily transit of civilians within the southern occupied West Bank.
4,969 displaced Palestinians and 15 demolished homes
The scale of the humanitarian impact was significant, with data from the Hebron Municipality indicating that 4,969 Palestinians were displaced. This figure represents approximately 780 families who were forced to abandon their residences during the ten-day offensive.
Beyond displacement, the physical infrastructure of Hebron suffered. The report says that Israeli forces demolished at least 15 homes and other structures. This destruction extended into community infrastructure, which Palestinian authorities claim has destabilized the local economy and disrupted the educational process for children in the city.
Governor Khaled Dudin's restoration of Palestinian security
On Monday, Governor Khaled Dudin formally announced that Palestinian security forces have resumed full control over the area. The governor stated that families previously forced from their homes are now permitted to return to their neighborhoods.
Current efforts by the Hebron Governorate are focused on monitoring the city to prevent further security incidents. Palestinian security personnel are reportedly overseeing the return process to ensure that residents can re-enter their homes without further disturbance from military forces.
The cycle of short-term sieges in the southern West Bank
This operation in Hebron reflects a broader,recurring pattern of high-intensity, short-duration military interventions in the West Bank. By utilizing rapid sieges to respond to specific attacks, the Israeli military can exert total control over a population center quickly, though often at the cost of widespread civilian displacement.
Such tactics create a volatile environment where the restoration of "normalcy" is temporary. For the residents of Hebron, the sudden shift from a total blockade to the return of Palestinian security forces underscores the precarious nature of stability in the region, where a single incident can trigger the displacement of thousands within hours.
Who will compensate the 780 families for lost property?
While the withdrawal of troops is a relief, several critical questions remain unanswered. Specifically, there is no information regarding who will provide financial compensation or rebuilding materials for the 780 families affected by the 15 demolished structures.
Furthermore, the source does not provide a statement from the Israeli military regarding the proportionality of the 10-day siege relative to the initial attack. It remains unclear what security guarantees, if any, have been established to prevent a repeat of the October 23 escalation.
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