Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem has warned that Israel is extending its "ethnic cleansing" campaign to the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, with plans for mass displacement and structural destruction already being put into action.
The group urged foreign governments and international institutions to intervene using all mechanisms available under international law to halt the forcible displacement of Palestinian civilians, collective punishment, and extensive unlawful destruction, stressing: "Israeli leaders are openly declaring their intentions, and actions on the ground have already begun."
The warning followed a shooting incident near Hebron on Friday that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians, with three other soldiers injured.
Subsequently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced measures to forcibly displace residents and carry out extensive demolitions.
"We will apply in the cities the successful offensive model we implemented in the refugee camps," Netanyahu said.
B’Tselem noted that this exact model has already displaced more than 33,000 Palestinians across the northern occupied West Bank.
Siege and demolitions
Israeli military forces cordoned off Hebron and neighbouring Halhul for a second consecutive day, forcing dozens of Palestinians from their homes, raiding residences, and demolishing a residential building alongside other properties.
The Israeli Civil Administration has concurrently commenced razing Palestinian structures in the Farsh al-Hawa neighbourhood.
Simultaneously, extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the establishment of four new illegal settlement farming outposts across the South Hebron Hills.
B’Tselem warned that these coordinated measures could constitute war crimes that mirror Israel's devastating attacks during its multi-year genocide in Gaza.
The organisation characterised the campaign as part of a wider policy intended to dismantle Palestinian community life while expanding illegal settlements and entrenching permanent Israeli occupation.
"The world cannot stand by as Israel continues its assault on Palestinians, waiting for yet more neighbourhoods to be emptied and erased before intervening," the rights group added.
