Israel Flattens Hebron Homes as Netanyahu Promises Major West Bank Operation

Israeli bulldozers began demolishing homes in a Hebron neighborhood on Friday afternoon, forcing hundreds of Palestinians from their residences following a checkpoint attack that killed two soldiers and wounded three others. The destruction started hours after the shooting ended, targeting the area where the gunmen were killed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new military operation from the site of the attack. He described the planned campaign as being on a scale not seen since the Six Day War, which began Israel's occupation of the territory nearly 60 years ago. In a televised address, Netanyahu stated that Israel would act to demolish the location and change it completely.

The Israeli military detailed the sequence of events at the checkpoint. Soldiers were positioned behind concrete barriers when two gunmen opened fire. A firefight lasted approximately 20 minutes until troops killed the attackers. The military confirmed the two fatalities and three injuries among its personnel.

Human rights groups have issued strong warnings about the escalation. B'Tselem, an Israeli organization, urged foreign governments to intervene to stop what it called another wave of ethnic cleansing and war crimes. Earlier this year, Human Rights Watch labeled Israel's expulsion of tens of thousands from two northern refugee camps as war crimes, a charge Israel has rejected.

The political timing of the offensive coincides with national elections scheduled for October 27. Polls indicate a tight race between Netanyahu and his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot. Neither leader currently commands a majority sufficient to form a government. Analysts suggest the heavy military response is designed to project strength to voters who view security as a primary concern.

Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, characterized the eviction of families from the attackers' neighborhood as collective punishment. He noted that authorities have not provided evidence linking the displaced residents to the gunmen. Citrinowicz argued that the strategy relies on harsh measures to demonstrate protection rather than long-term security planning.

The current crisis is occurring against a backdrop of increased violence and land seizures by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The United Nations Human Rights Office described the situation as a new level of dehumanization for Palestinians. Israel has imposed widespread closures in Hebron, the most populous city in the occupied territory. Across the region, Israeli forces maintain control through approximately 925 checkpoints, roadblocks, and other barriers that restrict movement.