Israeli Prime Minister Orders Major Military Operation in Hebron Following Fatal Checkpoint Shooting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a major military offensive in the West Bank city of Hebron following a checkpoint shooting that left two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinian gunmen dead. The operation involves sealing off Hebron and the neighboring town of Halhul, with Israeli military forces conducting house-to-house searches to dismantle what officials describe as local terrorist infrastructure.

The incident occurred on Friday during a 20-minute exchange of gunfire at a military checkpoint. According to Israeli security forces, the two Palestinian attackers were identified as Mohammad Jaaba and Firas Jaaba, both 27-year-old members of the same family. In addition to the two dead soldiers, three other Israeli personnel were injured before the gunmen were killed. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that ammunition recovered from the attackers' vehicle indicated plans for a larger attack against civilians. Hamas later released a statement praising the shooting.

Offensive Plans and Regional Expansion

Visiting the scene in Hebron while wearing a flak jacket, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces would implement tactics similar to those previously used in urban refugee camps. Plans include evacuating residents from specific neighborhoods, searching houses, confiscating weapons, and demolishing structures. Netanyahu also noted that he and Defence Minister Israel Katz have reviewed options for a broader military operation across the West Bank on a scale not seen since the Six-Day War. Furthermore, the prime minister announced plans to accelerate the removal of unauthorized structures along transport routes and expand Israeli settlement infrastructure in the region.

The development comes four days before an Israeli election in which national security and the government's handling of the October 7, 2023 attacks remain central issues. Following the shooting, Netanyahu canceled scheduled campaign events to inspect the site and address military operations in the area.