Israeli forces demolished the homes of two Palestinians accused of killing two Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron last week. The demolitions occurred on Friday, marking the eighth day of a military offensive and siege in the southern West Bank city.

The homes of brothers Ahmad and Hammouda al-Jaabeh were destroyed by army engineers who spent at least nine hours rigging explosives before detonation. The brothers were killed on October 23 following an attack near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others.

Following the demolition, Israeli troops detained at least 12 Palestinians who attempted to approach the site, with reports of abuse against some detainees. The Ein Deir Bahha neighbourhood, where the demolished homes were located, has been entirely emptied of residents. Some structures have reportedly been converted into military facilities.

Hundreds of families in the neighboring al-Jalda area remain confined to their homes. The Hebron municipality stated that the ongoing offensive has displaced 4,969 Palestinians from 780 families. Israeli forces have also arrested at least 120 Palestinians and interrogated hundreds more since the operation began. Additionally, at least 13 businesses near the checkpoint have been demolished.

Israeli officials have indicated potential acceleration of home demolitions in Area C, a part of the West Bank under full Israeli control, following measures approved by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in response to the attack. This action follows a pattern of punitive measures taken by Israeli authorities in response to attacks.

Displaced residents, including women, children, and the elderly, protested near the al-Jalda roundabout, demanding an end to the siege and the right to return to their homes. These protests highlight the significant humanitarian impact of the military operations on the local Palestinian population.

Experts have characterized the operation as collective punishment, aimed at deterring future attacks and breaking Palestinian resistance. Raed Nairat, an academic and expert on Israeli affairs, described the message from the outset as clear, focusing on punitive actions against the Palestinian population.

The situation in Hebron remains tense, with ongoing military operations and significant displacement of residents. The long-term implications for the Hebron community and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict are a subject of concern, particularly regarding the cycle of violence and retribution.