Israel begins razing Hebron homes after checkpoint ambush

Israeli military excavators began removing Palestinian structures in Hebron on Thursday. This action followed a shooting incident at a checkpoint outside the city where two soldiers were killed and three were injured. Both attackers were killed during the exchange of fire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site and stated that the military would demolish the neighborhood and completely transform the area. He described Israel as ready for extensive action in the occupied West Bank. The Prime Minister compared the current strategy to prior operations in refugee camps, which involved demolishing residential buildings and displacing thousands of residents.

Netanyahu said he had reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades. He did not specify a timeline for that operation. The Prime Minister also announced cordons around Hebron, which has approximately 200,000 residents, and the nearby city of Halhul.

The Israeli military reported finding a large quantity of ammunition in the vehicle used by the gunmen. Officials believe the attackers intended to strike Route 35 but encountered the checkpoint and opened fire there instead. The military stated that both gunmen were shot dead.

The incident has impacted the national election campaign, with voters going to the polls in four days. The Likud party canceled campaign events scheduled for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank similar to operations in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Political tensions rose on Thursday as Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government. He stated that critics would be responsible for any future attacks. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers.

The UN reports that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the start of the year. Four Israelis were killed by Palestinians in the territory during the same period, excluding the two soldiers killed in Thursday's ambush.