Hebron homes razed after checkpoint shooting

Demolition crews began tearing down Palestinian buildings in Hebron on Thursday, isolating roughly 200,000 residents behind military cordons. The action follows a shooting at a checkpoint outside the city where two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site and stated that the military would demolish the neighborhood from which the attackers emerged. He described the operation as a transformation of the area and said Israel was prepared for extensive action in the West Bank. Netanyahu compared the plan to previous operations in refugee camps that displaced thousands of people.

The prime minister also said he had reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades, though he did not specify a timeline. He confirmed that security forces had sealed off Hebron and the nearby city of Halhul. Footage of the initial attack showed two gunmen leaving a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle before opening fire on soldiers.

The incident has altered the rhythm of the upcoming election campaign, which is scheduled for four days from now. The Likud party cancelled events planned for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government by criticizing Netanyahu's prior warnings of an attack. He claimed they would be responsible for any future incident. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.

The military reported finding a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers' car. Officials believe the gunmen intended to strike Route 35 but encountered the checkpoint first. The UN reports that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the year, while four Israelis have been killed in the same period.

The tension in the region has increased as extremist Jewish settlers have targeted Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. The current demolitions mark a significant escalation in Israeli military activity in the West Bank ahead of the vote.