Israeli military forces have launched a sweeping security operation in the West Bank city of Hebron following the deaths of two soldiers in a shooting attack. The crackdown, which began overnight, has largely paralyzed the city as military authorities implement a series of restrictive measures and structural demolitions.
Residents of Hebron, the most populous Palestinian city in the territory, reported Saturday that troops have established numerous roadblocks and closed all primary entrances and exits to the area. Military officials confirmed that forces have begun demolishing structures in the immediate vicinity of the attack site, characterizing the move as part of an operation expected to last several days. While authorities stated that residents would be permitted to depart through specific designated checkpoints, military spokespeople have not yet clarified whether those leaving will be allowed to return to their homes while the operation continues.
The catalyst for the military response occurred Friday when two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli troops positioned near a checkpoint in Hebron. Both soldiers were killed in the exchange, and the two attackers were subsequently shot dead by security forces. Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli military chief of staff, stated that the soldiers’ actions had successfully intercepted the gunmen and prevented what he described as a potentially more devastating assault. Military investigators reported discovering a significant cache of ammunition inside the vehicle used by the gunmen.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene of the shooting on Friday, where he pledged a vigorous response. He announced the imposition of a security cordon around Hebron and a broader lockdown of the surrounding territory, adding that forces would conduct house-to-house searches. Netanyahu stated that the objective of the military action was to fundamentally change the security landscape of the area.
The timing of the crackdown has drawn scrutiny from political analysts, as Israel is days away from a pivotal national election. Netanyahu, currently trailing in opinion polls, is facing a challenge from Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief. Some observers have suggested the intensity of the Hebron operation may be linked to the Prime Minister’s efforts to strengthen his security credentials before voters head to the polls.
The violence in Hebron is the latest incident in a period of sustained unrest in the West Bank. In recent weeks, tensions have been exacerbated by dozens of attacks carried out by extremist settlers against Palestinian farmers during the annual olive harvest. These incidents have included reports of masked individuals assaulting harvesters with clubs and stones. The broader military crackdown in the region over the past year has already resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands and significant damage to local infrastructure.
While Hamas praised the Friday shooting as a response to ongoing tensions, the group did not officially claim responsibility for the gunmen. The incident follows a pattern of heightened volatility in the territory, including an attack last month in which an Israeli man was shot dead. Military authorities confirmed they have a suspect in custody for that earlier killing as they continue to maintain the current lockdown in Hebron.
