UN cites 'ethnic cleansing' concerns over Israel's forced displacement of Palestinians in Hebron

▲ Escalating

UN rights chief says Hebron displacement must end as Gaza strikes continue

On Monday, UN rights chief Volker Turk said the operation displacing more than 3,000 Palestinians in Hebron must end, calling collective punishment a grave violation of international law. The operation followed the killing of two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near the city on Friday. Israeli forces also killed at least five people in Gaza on Monday, after seven were reported killed there on Sunday. Israel's election is on Tuesday, with West Bank crossings set to close.

• Turk said more than 3,000 Palestinians have been displaced in Hebron; the Hebron municipality said on Saturday that 35 hectares were destroyed or marked for destruction.
• Israel began a full lockdown and military operations across the West Bank on Saturday, and Netanyahu vowed to destroy the place of the attack.
• Gaza's reported death toll is 74,555, including 1,559 killed since last year's ceasefire.
• The Israeli military announced restrictions on Palestinian workers' movement ahead of Tuesday's election.