Hebron family says Israeli military bulldozed home before election

A Palestinian family in Hebron says the Israeli military demolished their home on Friday after giving them two minutes to leave at gunpoint. The Imresh family said two or three soldiers put them in a corner and aimed guns at them, warning them not to move. One family member, Sanad, has barely spoken since. Maya, a doctor, was due to be married in less than a fortnight, and the family had been preparing for a wedding rather than salvaging what was left.

The demolition followed a gun attack at an Israeli checkpoint outside Hebron on Friday in which two Israeli soldiers were shot dead and two Palestinian gunmen were killed. The Israeli military described its operation in Hebron as an anti-terror operation. About 3,000 Palestinians were evicted from their homes in the neighbourhood by Saturday, according to the report. Hebron city authorities said 500 other families were needlessly thrown out of their homes this weekend. There is no claim that the Imresh family was involved in the checkpoint attack. The military did not answer questions about why the house at Farsh Al Hawa was demolished, and 36 hours on it had not told the family why they knocked it down.

Israeli politicians seized on the checkpoint shooting and promised a ferocious response ahead of this week's general election. Far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich arrived at the ruins to film a video and called for a Gaza-style military campaign in the West Bank. Access to Hebron and other towns was restricted. The only way across was on foot, and a gate was closed while reporters were filming. The city's ancient centre is entirely under military control, shops have been shuttered for years, and Palestinians are not allowed to walk down its busiest former thoroughfare because it is also home to 800 Israeli settlers under military protection. Most of the world considers the occupation illegal.

Two women, Amira and Aya, said they began hearing loud sirens around midnight telling people to leave. They said they did not know why they had to leave or where to go, and that families cannot predict which house will be taken or destroyed. Reporters described cameras on rooftops, checkpoints and soldiers across the city, with the military making clear they should not film soldiers.

The demolition and evictions come as Israel prepares to vote, with polls close. Benjamin Netanyahu has campaigned on his claim that only he can destroy Iran's nuclear programme and keep Israelis safe. His team posted an image appearing to show Tel Aviv after a nuclear armageddon. His main contender, former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, has a different style and agrees on many key policies but argues Netanyahu should be held accountable for what happened on 7 October. The wider consequences for Gaza, Iran and the region are unclear.