Homes Demolished With Only 5 Minutes’ Notice, Netanyahu Announces Biggest Military Operation in West Bank 

Tension has risen sharply in Hebron in the occupied West Bank after an attack there. Right after the attack, Israeli forces ordered Palestinian residents nearby to leave their homes within five minutes. They then began to tear down buildings and other structures with bulldozers. Local sources say the demolitions are happening very fast, with no legal chance or even a little time to appeal.

In the past, Israel usually gave the family of a suspect a notice and a chance to appeal before it demolished the home. Most of those appeals were rarely accepted, but a set process was still followed. This time, even that basic process was not followed.

Political analysts say right wing and far right politicians in Israel are using the attack as a campaign tool ahead of the coming election. National Security Minister Mr. Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the full dissolution of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Finance Minister Mr. Bezalel Smotrich claims the demolitions target illegal buildings put up without permits. In reality, Israel almost never grants the building permits that Palestinians need for natural population growth. Many believe the force against innocent Palestinians is meant to attract voters and show a hard line.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened the biggest military operation in the occupied West Bank since 1967. In a statement, Mr. Netanyahu said, “I have reviewed a very broad operation in the West Bank that will be unprecedented since 1967. We will carry it out when we see the right time.”

In June 1967, during the Six Day War, Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip from Palestine. It also took the Golan Heights from Syria and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. After Mr. Netanyahu’s new threat, deep fear and worry have spread across the whole West Bank. Source: Al Jazeera.