Hebron:An Israeli rights group has accused the Israeli government of extending its 'ethnic cleansing' campaign to the West Bank city of Hebron. The group, B'Tselem, claims that Israel is implementing plans for mass displacement and destruction in the area.
According to Anadolu Agency – English, B'Tselem has urged international governments and institutions to take action under international law to prevent the forcible displacement of Palestinian civilians, collective punishment, and extensive unlawful destruction. The group noted that Israeli leaders have openly declared their intentions, with actions already beginning on the ground.
Following a shooting incident near Hebron that resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to forcibly displace Palestinian residents and carry out extensive destruction, as reported by B'Tselem. Netanyahu stated that Israel would apply the offensive model previously used in refugee camps, which has already displaced more than 33,000 Palestinians in the northern West Bank.
Israeli forces have cordoned off Hebron and nearby Halhul, and the Civil Administration has begun demolishing Palestinian structures in the Farsh al-Hawa neighborhood. Additionally, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for four new settlement farming outposts in the South Hebron Hills.
B'Tselem warned that these actions could constitute war crimes and compared them to Israel's past operations in the Gaza Strip. The group described the actions as part of a broader effort to dismantle Palestinian life and expand Israeli settlements, calling on the international community to intervene before more Palestinian neighborhoods are emptied and erased.
The accusations come as the Israeli army continues its siege of Hebron for a second day, displacing dozens of Palestinians, demolishing structures, and conducting raids following the recent shooting incident, which also resulted in the deaths of two Palestinians and injuries to three Israeli soldiers.