Israeli troops withdraw from Hebron after 10-day operation

Smoke rises after Israeli forces blew up the homes of two Palestinians accused of killing two Israeli soldiers in the southern West Bank city of Hebron, Oct. 30, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

Israeli troops withdrew from the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on Monday, ending a 10-day military operation launched after a Palestinian shooting attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, an Israeli military official said.

The withdrawal came after Defense Minister Israel Katz made the decision Sunday night despite the military's request to end the operation before last week's parliamentary election, Israel's Army Radio reported.

The operation, launched on Oct. 23, involved the evacuation of Palestinian families, house demolitions and widespread closures. Residents began returning to their homes on Monday.

A military spokesperson said in a statement that forces seized four weapons, demolished the homes of the two Palestinian attackers and detained dozens of suspects during the operation.