Demolition crews move into Hebron after checkpoint ambush

Excavators and crews began tearing down Palestinian structures in Hebron on Thursday morning, following a violent encounter at a nearby checkpoint that left two Israeli soldiers dead and three others injured. The immediate destruction marks a sharp escalation in the West Bank, where military officials say they are targeting the specific neighborhood from which the two attackers emerged.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the scene to oversee the initial phases of the operation. Speaking to reporters, he stated that the military would "demolish this place and completely transform it." He framed the action as part of a wider strategy, saying Israel was prepared for "extensive action" in the occupied territories. Netanyahu drew a direct parallel to previous operations in refugee camps where residential blocks were cleared, displacing thousands of residents in the process.

The military has imposed strict cordons around Hebron and the neighboring city of Halhul, isolating approximately 200,000 residents. Officials reported that the two gunmen, both of whom were killed during the shootout, left a car armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. The military discovered a large quantity of ammunition in the vehicle, leading investigators to believe the attackers intended to strike a larger target on Route 35 but opened fire at the checkpoint instead.

The incident has injected urgency into the political race as Israel prepares for elections in four days. Netanyahu’s Likud party canceled campaign events scheduled for Friday morning, citing the security situation. His rivals have reacted with a mix of condolences and criticism. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank that would mirror operations in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government by criticizing Netanyahu’s prior warnings of an attack.

Rights groups have long criticized the practice of demolishing homes linked to attackers as a form of collective punishment. The latest destruction comes amid a year of heightened violence in the West Bank, particularly during the olive harvest season. According to United Nations figures, at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since January. Over that same period, four Israelis, including two security personnel and two civilians, have been killed by Palestinians, a count that excludes the two soldiers lost in the latest ambush.

The contrast between the political calculations and the physical destruction on the ground is stark. While opposition figures like Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, the machinery of demolition continued in Hebron. The military confirmed the attackers came from a specific residential area, a detail that has now become the focal point of both the security operation and the political discourse ahead of the vote.