Hebron, 25 October. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz acknowledged that around 2,000 Palestinians have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Hebron and said residents will not be allowed to return until what he called "Hamas infrastructure" in the city is dismantled, Anadolu reported.
According to the agency, Israeli forces are turning the homes of displaced Palestinians into barracks and observation posts. British Labour MP John McDonnell called for "full sanctions" against Israel over reports of collective punishment of Hebron's residents.
What it means: The Israeli government for the first time publicly stated the scale of the displacement and made residents' return conditional on the outcome of the operation.
Who benefits: Netanyahu's government shows toughness ahead of the 27 October election. Displaced Palestinians lose their homes for an indefinite period.
Background: The Hebron operation began after two Israeli soldiers were killed at a checkpoint near the city; a day earlier the number displaced was estimated at 1,200–1,500.
We have also reported that Israel forced 1,200 Palestinians from their homes in Hebron.
