Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major military operation in the West Bank following the killing of two Israeli soldiers in Hebron. The operation, dubbed 'Iron Wall,' involves house-to-house searches and home demolitions, marking a significant escalation in Israeli security measures ahead of the October 27 election.
Netanyahu confirmed that two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a checkpoint near Hebron after failing to reach a highway, leading to a 20-minute gunfight that resulted in five Israeli soldiers wounded, two of whom died. The operation is being compared to past actions in refugee camps, with Netanyahu stating the military will 'evacuate the residents' and 'destroy all terrorist infrastructure.'
The operation follows a pattern of increasing tensions in the West Bank, with settlers targeting Palestinians during the olive harvest and a rise in violence since the 2023 Hamas attacks. Netanyahu's government faces challenges in maintaining security credentials before the election, with critics warning of potential war crimes through collective punishment.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about the use of force against Palestinians, with reports indicating that the demolitions may target homes unrelated to the attackers. The operation could further escalate tensions, with Netanyahu's far-right allies calling for a military campaign in the West Bank 'exactly like in Gaza or Lebanon.'