96 Palestinians Dead as Demolition Crews Move Into Hebron

Heavy machinery moved into the streets of Hebron on Thursday, beginning the demolition of Palestinian buildings in the West Bank city. The operation follows a violent ambush at a checkpoint where two Israeli soldiers were shot dead and three others wounded. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the destruction of the neighborhood from which the attackers emerged, stating that the military would "demolish this place and completely transform it."

The conflict intensified in the days leading up to the general election. Two Palestinian gunmen exited a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. They opened fire on soldiers at the checkpoint before being killed in the return gunfire. Military officials reported finding a large quantity of ammunition inside the attackers' car. The army believes the men intended to target Route 35 but engaged the checkpoint first.

Netanyahu declared that Israel is prepared for "extensive action" in the occupied West Bank. He compared the upcoming measures to previous operations in refugee camps where residential buildings were razed and thousands displaced. The Prime Minister also revealed he has reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the region in decades, though he did not provide a specific timeline for its launch.

In the immediate aftermath, Israeli forces imposed cordons around Hebron, a city with approximately 200,000 residents, and the nearby town of Halhul. This isolation restricts movement for the civilian population while demolition work proceeds. The military practice of removing homes from suspects has drawn criticism from Israeli rights groups, who describe it as a form of collective punishment.

The shooting has disrupted the election campaign with four days remaining until voters head to the polls. Netanyahu's Likud party cancelled its scheduled events for Friday morning to focus on security. Far-right allies are using the incident to push for more aggressive tactics. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Political tensions flared earlier in the week when Foreign Minister Israel Katz blamed opposition leaders for criticizing government warnings before the vote. He labeled them "responsible" for any future attacks. Opposition figures, including frontrunner Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the soldiers' families.

The incident occurs amid rising violence in the West Bank, particularly during the annual olive harvest when extremist Jewish settlers have targeted Palestinians. The United Nations reports that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the start of 2026. Over the same period, four Israelis were killed by Palestinians, a count that excludes the two soldiers who died in Thursday's checkpoint shooting.