Netanyahu Orders Hebron Neighborhood Razed After Checkpoint Ambush

Two soldiers died and three others were wounded when Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli military checkpoint outside Hebron on Thursday. The attackers, who were both killed, emerged from a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. Footage verified by the BBC shows the intense exchange of fire. The Israeli military reported finding a large quantity of ammunition in the vehicle and believes the gunmen intended to target the nearby Route 35 but encountered the checkpoint instead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the scene and ordered the destruction of the neighborhood from which the attackers originated. He stated that the military would "demolish this place and completely transform it." Netanyahu also revealed that he had reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades, though he did not specify a timeline. He described the planned actions as "extensive" and compared them to earlier operations in refugee camps that displaced thousands.

The immediate response included the imposition of cordons around Hebron, a city with approximately 200,000 residents, and the nearby town of Halhul. The Israeli military confirmed that demolition crews have already begun removing Palestinian buildings in the affected area. This practice of razing homes belonging to those suspected of attacks is common, though Israeli rights groups have long criticized it as a form of collective punishment.

The incident has intensified the political climate ahead of the national election scheduled for four days from now. Netanyahu’s Likud party canceled campaign events planned for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right figure, called for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those conducted in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Political friction emerged immediately. Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government by criticizing Netanyahu’s warnings of an attack before the vote. He claimed they would be responsible for any future assault. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the dead soldiers and praised the troops who engaged the gunmen.

The attack occurred during a period of heightened tension in the West Bank. Extremist Jewish settlers have been targeting Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. According to the United Nations, at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the territory since the start of the year. Over that same period, four Israelis, including security personnel and civilians, were killed by Palestinians, a count that excludes the two soldiers who died in the latest checkpoint attack.