Israeli forces demolish West Bank homes, displacing over 3,000 Palestinians

Israeli forces on Friday demolished the homes of attackers in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, as part of an ongoing operation that has led to the forced displacement of more than 3,000 Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to launch a large-scale operation in areas near a checkpoint, sparking protests from Palestinian residents, following an attack on October 23 in which the gunmen were killed.

Palestinian officials accused Netanyahu of exploiting the operation to rally support ahead of Israel’s general elections held on Tuesday. The Israeli government says its actions are in response to the attack targeting its soldiers.

According to Reuters, the Israeli military said in a statement announcing the demolitions that it "will continue to act proactively and offensively" to prevent attacks in the West Bank and "protect residents of the area."

Local residents reported that the homes demolished on Friday were inhabited by the wives and children of the gunmen before the army forced Palestinians to leave the area last week.

Local officials said the army has also demolished other homes, as well as shops, roads, and factories in Hebron since the attack, although the exact scale of the demolitions remains unclear.