Hebron demolition begins after checkpoint ambush kills two soldiers

Demolition crews began tearing down Palestinian structures in the West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday. The operation followed a checkpoint ambush in which two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.

Video of the incident shows two men exiting a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. They opened fire on soldiers at a checkpoint outside Hebron before returning fire killed both attackers. The Israeli military stated that the vehicle contained a large amount of ammunition. Officials believe the gunmen intended to strike Route 35 but engaged at the checkpoint instead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene and ordered the military to dismantle the neighborhood from which the attackers emerged. He described the area as a place to be completely transformed. Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared for extensive action in the occupied West Bank, drawing parallels to previous operations in refugee camps that displaced thousands.

The prime minister also announced that he imposed cordons around Hebron and the nearby city of Halhul. He reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades, though he did not specify a timeline for its execution.

The event has disrupted the national election campaign, with voters scheduled to head to the polls in four days. Netanyahu’s Likud party cancelled campaign events planned for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those in Gaza and Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Political tensions rose on Thursday when Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government by criticizing pre-election warnings. He claimed they would be responsible for any future attack. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.

The assault occurs during a period of heightened tension in the West Bank. Extremist Jewish settlers have targeted Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. The United Nations reported that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the start of the year. Over the same period, four Israelis were killed by Palestinians in the territory, a count that excludes the soldiers from the latest attack.