Demolition crews begin razing Hebron neighborhood after checkpoint ambush

Two Israeli soldiers died in a shooting at a checkpoint outside Hebron, triggering an immediate military demolition of the nearby Palestinian neighborhood. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared from the scene that the army would "demolish this place and completely transform it." The attackers, two Palestinian gunmen, were killed after a gun battle captured on verified video footage.

Footage shows the men exiting a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. They opened fire on the checkpoint before returning fire killed them. Three other soldiers were wounded in the exchange. Military officials stated that a large quantity of ammunition was found inside the attackers' car. The military believes the gunmen intended to strike Route 35 but were intercepted at the checkpoint.

Netanyahu said Israel is prepared for "extensive action" in the West Bank. He compared the current plan to previous operations in refugee camps where residential buildings were destroyed and thousands were displaced. He also mentioned reviewing plans for the largest military operation in the region in decades, though he did not provide a specific timeline for when it might begin.

The prime minister imposed cordons around Hebron, a city with approximately 200,000 residents, and the nearby town of Halhul. These restrictions limit movement in the areas while the transformation of the neighborhood proceeds.

The incident has shifted the focus of the upcoming election campaign. Israel votes in four days. The Likud party canceled campaign events scheduled for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank "exactly like in Gaza or Lebanon." National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government by criticizing Netanyahu's warnings of an attack. He labeled them "responsible" for any future attacks. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. They praised the troops who neutralized the gunmen.

The shooting occurs amid high tensions 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 since the start of the year. Four Israelis, including security personnel and civilians, were killed by Palestinians in the same period, excluding the two soldiers lost in the latest incident.