Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a military operation in the West Bank following the deaths of two soldiers in an attack by Palestinian gunmen. The operation involves mass arrests, home demolitions, and forced displacement of residents in the Hebron area.
Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces would 'destroy this place and completely transform it,' targeting the neighborhood where the attackers originated. The operation follows a high-stakes election period and comes amid heightened tensions with extremist Jewish settlers and potential U.S.-Israeli plans for attacks on Iran.
The move has drawn criticism from Israeli rights groups, who warn of 'collective punishment' and potential war crimes. At least 200 families have been displaced in Hebron, with Israeli forces imposing strict lockdowns and cordons around the city.
The operation is part of a broader pattern of Israeli security measures in the West Bank, with rights groups and international observers raising concerns about the humanitarian impact and legal implications of the tactics used.