Israel Demolishes Buildings in Hebron After Deadly Shooting Attack Kills Two Soldiers

Israel commenced the demolition of buildings and ordered the evacuation of residents in an occupied West Bank neighborhood on Friday. This action followed a shooting attack at an Israeli military checkpoint where two Palestinian gunmen killed two soldiers and lightly wounded three others, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The attack occurred just four days before Israel's elections, a critical juncture for Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has emphasized his security credentials. In response to the incident, the IDF announced a "full siege" on Hebron, and Netanyahu initially declared a full closure of the West Bank starting Friday. However, he later indicated a potential scaling back to a "cordon" around Hebron and Halhul, possibly extending to other areas.

Netanyahu stated that the military would forcefully evacuate the attack area and "transform it completely," mirroring a plan previously implemented in the Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams, and Al-Far’a refugee camps in early 2025, which resulted in significant displacement and neighborhood evacuations.

The IDF and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) announced a multi-day counterterrorism operation in the Hebron area. Their joint statement detailed "precise, targeted and thorough searches throughout the area to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure and weapons, while questioning suspects," confining the operation to the immediate vicinity of the attack. Residents were permitted to leave through three designated points, subject to questioning and security screening, with those raising suspicion referred for further investigation.

The operation was described as a continuation of ongoing counterterrorism measures, including mapping terrorist residences, cordoning off Hebron and Halhul, establishing roadblocks, and conducting activities throughout the sector. The statement also noted the demolition of "illegal structures that could pose a security threat."

Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem condemned the plan, calling it "forcibly displace[ment] of Palestinian residents." The group's executive director, Yuli Novak, stated, "Israel is announcing its next crimes in advance," accusing Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz of intending to empty a Hebron neighborhood and replicate the mass displacement seen in northern West Bank refugee camps.

By Friday afternoon, Israeli forces began demolitions in Hebron's Farsh al-Hawa area. A video obtained by CNN showed an Israeli soldier instructing residents to evacuate within five minutes. Netanyahu confirmed the plan to evacuate residents, search houses for weapons, and destroy "all terrorist infrastructure" from the neighborhood where the attackers originated.

Searches continued for individuals connected to the attack. The IDF reported that both gunmen were killed earlier on Friday following a firefight that lasted at least several minutes. Videos from the scene captured repeated bursts of gunfire. One Reuters video indicated the shooting had been ongoing for at least 20 minutes, with responders facing difficulties evacuating the wounded.

The IDF located the gunmen's vehicle, which contained a "large quantity" of ammunition intended for a "much larger scale" attack, according to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Zamir vowed further arrests and intensified intelligence operations, stating, "We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them, wherever they are and at all times."

Hamas praised the attack but did not claim responsibility. Netanyahu’s rival, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, expressed prayers for the recovery of the wounded.