Israel launches ‘limited counterterrorism’ op after 2 IDF troops killed in West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major military operation in the occupied West Bank on Friday, following an attack in which two Israeli soldiers were killed near Hebron. This announcement comes just days before the country's upcoming elections, where security has been a key issue. Netanyahu, who is currently in a tight race for re-election, visited the scene of the attack to pledge a more aggressive stance against West Bank militancy.

The operation would see the displacement of residents in Hebron, searches of homes, and the destruction of terrorist infrastructure. This move is reminiscent of the extensive operations conducted in the northern West Bank following a large-scale attack in January 2025, which the UN reported displaced thousands of people. Israeli rights group B Tselem has called for international pressure to prevent what they call collective punishment and potential war crimes.

Palestinian militant group Hamas, while not claiming responsibility for the attack, praised it as a "heroic operation" and called for more attacks. The incident occurred at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron, where Palestinian gunmen, armed with a handgun and an automatic rifle, opened fire on Israeli soldiers before being shot dead by Israeli forces. Three other soldiers were wounded in the exchange.

In response to the attack, Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz expressed their gratitude for the soldiers' actions, stating that they had prevented a major attack and ordered a lockdown in the West Bank. Netanyahu also mentioned that a large-scale military operation was being considered, similar to those conducted since the 1967 war, with the IDF ready to execute it.

The first step would involve entering the neighborhood from which the terrorists came, evacuating residents, and systematically destroying terrorist infrastructure.

Israeli far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that building demolitions were underway as part of the operation. The National Security Minister and far-right firebrand Itamar Ben Gvir called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, stating that it must be eliminated due to its role in inciting violence. No evidence suggests that the Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank, was involved in the attack.

This incident follows a series of killings by Israeli forces and settlers against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, resulting in at least 1,117 Palestinian deaths and 51 Israeli deaths.