Story perspectives

IDF Launches Major Operation in Violence-Hit Hebron

1/21/2026

Center

IDF Launches Operation

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began a large-scale operation in Hebron on January 20, 2026 to restore order.
Violence continues in Jabal Johar, with injuries and property damage rising after the killing of Mohammed Najib Rajabi.
The IDF targets armed gangs and illegal weapons as part of the operation.
Rajabi's clan denies responsibility, while the Palestinian Authority calls the move politically motivated.

Left

IDF Locks Down Hebron

Israeli forces began a lockdown in Hebron on January 20, 2026, deploying machinery to seize weapons and disrupt alleged terror activities, leading to widespread home searches and arrests.
Asma Sharabati, Hebron’s deputy mayor, linked the operation to efforts to consolidate control over the Ibrahimi Mosque and expand settlements.
Israeli forces conducted raids across the West Bank, including abductions in as-Samu’ and Jenin, raising concerns about escalating violence and humanitarian impacts.

History

Historical Context

The Hebron Massacre on August 24, 1929, saw Arab mobs kill 67 Jews in Mandatory Palestine, fueled by rumors of Jewish plans to seize the Temple Mount. This violence marked a turning point in Arab-Jewish relations, leading to the evacuation of the Jewish community and the formation of the Haganah. Today, ongoing IDF operations in Hebron reflect the enduring legacy of this historical conflict.

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IDF Launches Operation

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began a large-scale operation in Hebron on January 20, 2026 to restore order.
Violence continues in Jabal Johar, with injuries and property damage rising after the killing of Mohammed Najib Rajabi.
The IDF targets armed gangs and illegal weapons as part of the operation.
Rajabi's clan denies responsibility, while the Palestinian Authority calls the move politically motivated.

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