IDF ends Hebron raid, 11 days after deadly shooting attack

Israeli forces have completed an 11-day operation in Hebron, which was launched following a deadly shooting attack at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the West Bank city.

During the attack on October 23, Hebron residents Mohammad Jaaba and Firas Jaaba killed Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, and wounded three other troops, before they were shot dead.

In response, the military demolished illegally built structures in the vicinity of the checkpoint and raided the neighborhood where the two gunmen lived to demolish their homes, while also operating in other areas in the city.

Palestinian media outlets publish footage showing residents of Hebron returning to their homes. An Israeli flag can be seen at the entrance to one of the houses, apparently after soldiers had been stationed there.

بعد حصار دام 10 أيام، وتدمير المنازل ونهب الممتلكات، قوات الاحتلال تنسحب من الخليل.
حصار وعدوان تخلله تهجير سكان نحو 540 منزلا ووحدة سكنية، تحويل المنازل إلى ثكنات عسكرية، وتدمير البنى التحتية والمركبات والطرقات، فضلا عن نهب المنازل والمخلات وتخريبها! pic.twitter.com/XrTTuf9XFI

— ساحات ???????? (@Sa7atPl) November 2, 2026

The raid displaced thousands of residents. The IDF reported detaining dozens of suspects for questioning and capturing four firearms after scanning hundreds of buildings.

While the IDF has not issued an official statement, the military confirms to reporters that it has withdrawn troops from the neighborhood where the two gunmen lived, and wrapped up the operation.

It was reported last week that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that there was no operational reason to continue the Hebron raid and that there was no legal rationale to keep Palestinians from returning home. Zamir reportedly recommended that Netanyahu end the operation just two days after it began, but the premier rejected the suggestion.