2,000 Palestinians Evacuated from Hebron After Israeli Military Operation

The Israeli army ordered the evacuation of approximately 2,000 Palestinians from their homes in Hebron on October 24, following an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank's largest city. The evacuation was part of a large-scale military operation launched after two Palestinians attacked Israeli forces at a checkpoint near Hebron on October 23. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the attackers came from a Hamas cell in the city and that residents would not be allowed to return until operations conclude. Palestinian officials condemned the action as collective punishment, with Hebron's governor reporting that a third of the city is now affected. The Palestinian Authority demanded international pressure on Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened a "big surprise" and announced the start of a major military operation in the West Bank.