Israel launches major West Bank operation after soldiers killed

The Israeli military initiated a prolonged operation in the West Bank on Friday, aimed at searching targets, questioning Palestinians, and demolishing structures in the Hebron area following gunmen who killed two soldiers days before Israeli elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, locked in a tight race to retain his position, visited the attack site to pledge a tougher stance on West Bank militancy.

Israeli forces were enforcing a lockdown in the West Bank, targeting illegal structures and pursuing counterterrorism operations across multiple locations. The operation is expected to continue for several days. Hamas, without claiming responsibility, hailed the attack as a "heroic operation" and urged supporters to carry out more.

Israeli forces killed the attackers at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Netanyahu credited the soldiers for preventing a major attack and ordered the military to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. Netanyahu also announced the consideration of an extensive IDF operation in Judea and Samaria, similar to past large-scale operations.

Israeli rights groups and the UN expressed concerns over the potential for collective punishment and war crimes, while far-right Israeli officials called for a large-scale military offensive akin to Gaza's. Tensions in the West Bank remain high, with previous attacks by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinian farmers adding to the violence.

Since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, Israeli forces and settlers have killed 1,117 Palestinians, while at least 51 Israelis have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations.