Israeli forces have begun demolishing Palestinian buildings in Hebron in the occupied West Bank following a shooting attack that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others at a military checkpoint.
The attack occurred on Friday when two Palestinian gunmen opened fire near Hebron. Israeli troops returned fire, killing both attackers after an exchange that lasted about 20 minutes, according to reports from the Israeli military.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a major response, saying Israel would “destroy” the neighbourhood from which the attackers allegedly came. He also warned that the military was prepared for extensive operations across the occupied West Bank.
Netanyahu said the planned operation would involve evacuating residents, conducting house-to-house searches, confiscating weapons and dismantling what Israel describes as militant infrastructure.
The demolitions began as Israeli authorities tightened security around Hebron and prepared for broader restrictions across the territory. The incident has heightened tensions ahead of Israel’s general election, scheduled for October 27.
The attack also comes amid reports of increased violence by extremist Israeli settlers against Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. The United Nations has documented numerous harvest-related incidents involving injuries and property damage in recent weeks.
The practice of demolishing homes belonging to Palestinians accused of carrying out attacks against Israelis has long drawn criticism from human rights organisations, which argue that it amounts to collective punishment against families who may not have been involved in the violence.
Israeli authorities have defended such demolitions as a security measure intended to deter future attacks.
