Netanyahu Orders House Searches in Hebron After Two Soldiers Killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a major military operation in the West Bank on Friday. He instructed troops to cordon off Hebron following a shooting attack that killed two soldiers.

The Israeli military reported that two Palestinian men opened fire at a junction near Hebron. Forces killed both gunmen at the scene. The army identified the dead soldiers as Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem. Three other soldiers sustained light injuries.

Military officials stated that they found a large quantity of weapons and ammunition in the attackers' vehicle. The army said the haul suggested plans for a major attack on civilians. Investigators determined the shooters used an M16 rifle and a handgun.

Netanyahu ordered residents evacuated from the Hebron neighborhood where the gunmen lived. Troops will conduct a house-to-house search for weapons. The city has more than 200,000 inhabitants. Netanyahu stated, "Our first step will be to demolish this site and completely transform it."

He said a wider campaign would follow the initial search. "The IDF will enter the neighborhoods from which the terrorists emerged, evacuate the residents, go house-to-house, and dismantle the terror infrastructure," Netanyahu said. He added, "We are prepared for an extensive operation in Judea and Samaria," using Israel's name for the West Bank.

Hamas, which Israel and the United States have long designated a terrorist group, called the attack heroic. The group did not claim responsibility but urged armed Palestinians in the West Bank to attack Israeli soldiers and civilians. Netanyahu described the gunmen as Hamas terrorists.

The Israeli military began offensive counterterrorism operations in the Hebron area on Friday. Soldiers are operating inside the homes of the attackers and other suspects. The army also said it had arrested around 70 wanted Palestinians in West Bank operations over the past week.

The escalation comes days before Israel holds elections on Tuesday. Netanyahu has made national security a central theme of his campaign. He characterized the shooting as an attempt to influence the vote. His Likud party said Netanyahu convened senior security chiefs on Friday and canceled all campaign events for the rest of the day.