Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a large-scale military operation in the West Bank following a deadly attack in Hebron, where two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinian gunmen were killed. The operation aims to dismantle 'terrorist infrastructure' and could expand to the entire West Bank, marking a significant escalation in Israeli military actions.
Netanyahu cited the attack as justification for a broad offensive, with forces set to conduct house-to-house searches and evacuate residents from the area. The operation follows a pattern of aggressive military tactics used in refugee camps, and Netanyahu emphasized the need to 'destroy' what he called 'terrorist infrastructure' in Hebron.
The move comes amid heightened security concerns and political tensions, as Netanyahu faces scrutiny over his handling of security failures leading up to the 2023 Hamas attack. The operation could further strain relations with international partners and complicate the upcoming Israeli elections, which are expected to be heavily influenced by security performance.
Israeli authorities reported that the attackers had been planning a mass shooting, as evidenced by the large quantity of ammunition found in their vehicle, which suggests a premeditated attack on Israeli citizens.