West Bank: Israeli army withdraws from Hebron

The Israeli army withdraws from Hebron. Palestinian security forces are in complete control of the West Bank urban area, Governor Khalid Dudin said. Around 3,300 residents who were displaced by the operation could now safely return to their homes. Their houses were largely destroyed, and Dudin announced quick steps to rebuild them.

A week and a half ago, two attackers from Hebron killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three others. The two suspected Palestinian attackers were also killed. Israel's military then said it began an "anti-terror operation" in which the city was sealed off, according to the mayor. According to the Israeli army, several suspects have been arrested and weapons seized in recent days.

Israeli soldiers searched hundreds of houses. There was initially no confirmation from Israel's army about the end of the military operation. The UN emergency relief office Ocha said that more than 3,000 people were displaced during the operation and that homes and shops were also destroyed. Most of those affected were staying with relatives. According to the UN, some soldiers also used residential buildings as military posts.

Israel confirmed

Israel confirmed its withdrawal from Hebron. An Israeli army spokesman said the soldiers were withdrawn on Monday morning “after all operational activities had been completed.” Other “anti-terror operations” in the Palestinian territory would continue. It was not clear what the army spokesman meant by this and he did not go into further detail.

According to Palestinian information, the operation is putting a heavy burden on the local economy. Mayor Jussef al-Jabari spoke of daily losses amounting to the equivalent of around 3.5 million euros. Because of the deployment, companies would no longer be able to obtain raw materials or deliver goods and employees would no longer be able to reach their workplaces.