SRINAGAR: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered preparations for a large-scale military operation across the occupied West Bank following a shooting near Hebron on October 23 that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others.
According to The Guardian, Netanyahu directed security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare for wider restrictions across the territory following the attack.
The Israeli military said two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on soldiers at a temporary checkpoint outside Hebron after failing to reach a nearby highway, where they were suspected of planning an attack on civilians. A preliminary military investigation found that the ensuing exchange of fire lasted more than 20 minutes. Both gunmen were subsequently shot dead by Israeli forces.
Following an emergency meeting with his security cabinet and senior military officials, Netanyahu said troops would enter the neighbourhood where the attackers lived, evacuate residents and conduct house-to-house searches to recover weapons and dismantle what Israel describes as militant infrastructure.
He compared the planned operation with Israel’s 2025 offensive in northern West Bank refugee camps, which displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to the UN human rights office.
Israeli forces have also tightened movement restrictions across the occupied West Bank, deploying checkpoints and closing road gates between Palestinian towns and villages. The Guardian reported that the latest measures marked the fourth territory-wide restriction imposed by Israel within a month. While the closures could significantly disrupt daily life for Palestinians, roads remained accessible to Israeli drivers, including settlers.
The escalation comes days before Israel’s October 27 election, placing security and the government’s response to Palestinian attacks at the centre of the campaign.
Netanyahu’s response could reinforce his image as a leader committed to a hard-line security policy, while far-right coalition partners are pressing for a broader offensive.
Reuters reported that opinion polls indicated Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition was at risk of losing its parliamentary majority, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot emerging as a leading challenger.
The October 27 vote will be Israel’s first national election since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent wars that reshaped the country’s security debate.
The latest violence could further intensify security concerns during the campaign. However, Netanyahu’s political future will also depend on coalition negotiations following the election.
