West Bank: Hebron demolition begins after checkpoint ambush

Israeli military crews began tearing down buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday. This action followed an ambush at a checkpoint where two soldiers were shot and killed. Three other soldiers sustained injuries in the exchange of fire. Officials confirmed that two Palestinian gunmen carried out the attack and were shot dead at the scene.

Footage reviewed by the BBC captured the intense gun battle. Video clips show two men exiting a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. They opened fire on soldiers at the checkpoint before returning fire. The military stated it recovered a large amount of ammunition from the attackers' car. Officials believe the gunmen intended to strike the nearby Route 35 but encountered the checkpoint instead.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site and declared that the military would demolish the neighborhood where the attackers originated. He described the goal as completely transforming the area. Netanyahu said Israel is prepared for extensive action in the occupied West Bank. He compared these plans to previous operations in refugee camps that displaced thousands of residents. He also noted that he reviewed plans for the largest West Bank military operation in decades, though he did not provide a timeline for its launch.

The prime minister ordered cordons around Hebron and the nearby city of Halhul. Hebron is home to approximately 200,000 residents. The demolition practice targets homes of Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks. Israeli rights groups have frequently criticized this approach as a form of collective punishment.

The incident has influenced the political campaign leading up to the election in four days. Netanyahu has centered his bid on security. His Likud party canceled campaign events scheduled for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a West Bank campaign similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Tensions rose on Thursday as Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government by criticizing Netanyahu's warnings before the vote. He stated they would be responsible for any future attacks. Opposition figures, including candidate Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers.

The attack occurred during a period of high tension in the West Bank. Extremist Jewish settlers have targeted Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. The United Nations reports that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the territory since the start of the year. Over the same period, four Israelis have been killed by Palestinians, a count that excludes those who died in the latest checkpoint attack.