Netanyahu Announces Major West Bank Operation After Hebron Attack
Israeli PM Netanyahu signals large-scale military operation in West Bank following deadly attack near Hebron.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that Israel is preparing a major military operation in Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank, on a scale not seen since the 1967 Six-Day War, following a deadly attack near Hebron. The attack, which killed two Israeli soldiers, occurred just four days before Israel’s national election.
Attack and Response
The incident took place at a temporary military checkpoint near Yehuda Junction outside Hebron, where two Palestinian terrorists opened fire on Israeli soldiers. The attack killed Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, both members of the 775th Ari Battalion, and wounded three additional soldiers. Israeli forces killed both attackers after a 20-minute firefight.
Netanyahu stated that the defense minister and he had overseen the planning of an extensive IDF operation in Judea and Samaria, describing it as unprecedented in scope. The operation is expected to involve evacuating residents, removing weapons, and demolishing terrorist infrastructure.
Security Measures and Elections
The IDF has sealed off Hebron and prepared for a broader lockdown across the West Bank. Additional troops have been deployed, and the 98th Division headquarters has been moved to the area. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir confirmed that the military had reinforced the region in response to the situation.
Meanwhile, IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth announced that a significant counterterrorism operation was underway, with Hebron and nearby Halhul cordoned off. Israeli authorities also began demolishing unauthorized structures near Hebron, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich overseeing the effort.
Netanyahu warned that hostile forces could attempt attacks during the final days of the election campaign, which is set for Tuesday, October 27. He emphasized that the attack near Hebron was an attempt to harm Israeli civilians and soldiers ahead of the election.
Defense Minister Israel Katz also warned that Iran and its proxies were seeking to influence the election through attacks, although no direct link to Tehran has been established. Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility, and Israeli security agencies are still investigating whether the attackers were acting independently or were part of a larger network.
Netanyahu has not announced the timing of the broader offensive, leaving the exact start date of what he described as Israel’s most extensive West Bank military operation since 1967 unresolved as the country heads into the election.
Source: Breitbart
