Hebron:UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk has expressed serious concerns over Israel's ongoing military operation in Hebron, West Bank. Since Friday, the operation has reportedly led to the displacement of over 2,000 Palestinians, the destruction of homes and commercial properties, and restrictions on the freedom of movement.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, Trk issued a statement condemning the measures as unnecessary and disproportionate, calling for an end to the aggressive actions. He highlighted that the current lockdown imposed by Israeli forces is confining many residents to their homes and nearby areas.
Trk further criticized declarations from Israeli government officials, suggesting that the measures are punitive and intended to instill fear, which he deemed unacceptable. He urged for those displaced to be allowed to return and called for Israel to provide compensation and reparation for illegal evictions and demolitions.
The statement emphasized that collective punishment is a severe violation of international law, and the threat of erasing entire neighborhoods raises serious concerns about potential ethnic cleansing.