96 Palestinian deaths recorded as Israel begins Hebron demolition drive

Israeli forces began tearing down Palestinian buildings in Hebron on October 23, following a fatal ambush at a checkpoint. The operation targets the neighborhood where the attackers originated. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the military would completely transform the area. He described the plan as extensive action similar to earlier operations in West Bank refugee camps that displaced thousands.

Two soldiers were shot dead at the checkpoint outside Hebron. Three others were wounded. Video footage verified by the BBC shows two men exiting a car armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. They opened fire on the soldiers before being killed in return. The Israeli military reported finding a large quantity of ammunition in the vehicle. Officials believe the gunmen intended to strike the nearby Route 35 but encountered the checkpoint instead.

Netanyahu imposed cordons around Hebron and the nearby city of Halhul. He reviewed plans for the largest West Bank military operation in decades but did not specify a timeline. The Hebron area has approximately 200,000 residents. Demolishing homes of suspected attackers is a common practice for Israeli forces. Israeli rights groups have criticized this approach as collective punishment.

The attack has impacted the election campaign scheduled for four days from now. Netanyahu has based his bid on a security platform. His Likud party canceled campaign events planned for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a West Bank campaign exactly like those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government. He claimed they would be responsible for any future attack due to their criticism of Netanyahu’s pre-election warnings. Opposition figures including Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett offered condolences to the families of the dead soldiers. They praised the troops who killed the attackers.

Tensions in the West Bank remain high. Extremist Jewish settlers have targeted Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. The United Nations reports that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the start of the year. Four Israelis were killed by Palestinians over the same period. That figure does not include the two soldiers killed in the recent checkpoint attack.