In brief
Following an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint outside Hebron, the army launched a demolition operation on surrounding Palestinian homes. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to "destroy" the neighborhood from which the gunmen came, citing the need for extensive action in the West Bank. The move has drawn criticism as collective punishment and has intensified the volatile atmosphere just days before Israel’s national election. The incident has already begun to shape campaign rhetoric, with officials promising further military action if the region remains unstable.
At a checkpoint outside Hebron, two Israeli soldiers were shot dead by a pair of Palestinian gunmen. The assailants opened fire from a car and were subsequently killed by Israeli forces during a gun battle.
In the immediate aftermath, the Israeli army began demolishing Palestinian buildings in the nearby neighborhood. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military would "destroy" the area from which the attackers came, calling for "extensive action" in the occupied West Bank.
The demolition has drawn condemnation from Israeli human‑rights groups, who describe the practice as collective punishment. Netanyahu compared the upcoming operations to past large‑scale demolitions that displaced thousands of residents.
The incident comes amid growing tensions as extremist Jewish settlers reportedly target Palestinians during an annual olive harvest, and Israel’s national election is set to take place in four days. Netanyahu has already cancelled campaign events scheduled for Friday morning, citing the need to address security concerns.
Other officials have warned that the attack could lead to larger-scale preparations. Netanyahu said he had reviewed plans for the most extensive military operation in decades, though he did not specify a timeline.
Officials also confirmed finding large amounts of ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle and suggested that the gunmen intended a bigger attack on Route 35 but were diverted to the checkpoint. At least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the beginning of the year, according to the United Nations. Four Israelis, including both security personnel and civilians, have been killed by Palestinians in the same period.
