Netanyahu says the West Bank could be sealed off

Israel has initiated a multi-day anti-terrorism operation in the occupied West Bank, launching a major security crackdown following a fatal shooting incident near Hebron. Joint statements from the Israeli Army and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence service indicated that security forces are currently searching targets in the Hebron area and interrogating suspects to locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure. Authorities stated they are also dismantling structures deemed to pose security threats. The operation is expected to last several days, coinciding with a period of heightened tension ahead of Israel’s upcoming parliamentary elections. The military response was triggered by an attack on Friday morning at a checkpoint near the Yehuda Junction outside Hebron. Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli soldiers using a pistol and an automatic rifle. According to military accounts, the attackers killed Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, of Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, of Hod Hasharon, both members of the 775th Ari Battalion. Three other soldiers sustained light injuries. A firefight lasting approximately 20 minutes ensued, resulting in the death of both gunmen. The army stated that the suspects, identified as Palestinians from Hebron, were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Preliminary investigations suggest the attackers carried substantial ammunition and intended to strike Israeli civilians along a nearby highway, though they engaged the checkpoint upon arrival. The military claimed the intervention prevented a larger terror attack against civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. Following the briefing, Netanyahu ordered the immediate cordoning off of Hebron and directed security forces to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank. He described the planned military operation in Judea and Samaria as unprecedented in scale since the 1967 Six-Day War. Netanyahu stated that the defense ministry and his office had overseen the planning of this extensive operation, asserting that the Israel Defense Forces are ready to execute it once timing is determined. He characterized the refugee camps around Hebron as terrorist strongholds, promising to evacuate residents, search houses, remove weapons, and demolish all terrorist infrastructure. This approach mirrors strategies previously employed in the Jenin refugee camps in early 2025, where hundreds of homes were destroyed and thousands displaced. While initially announcing a full blockade, Netanyahu later suggested scaling back the territorial closure to a cordon around the cities of Hebron and Halhul. Despite this adjustment, the military maintained roadblocks and closures in Palestinian towns throughout the region. For local Palestinians, daily life has effectively halted. Reports indicate that nearly every village is isolated, with gates closed and roadblocks erected, preventing access to work, hospitals, and schools. The Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas and dominated by the Fatah party, has been unable to intervene. In contrast, Israeli settlements remain accessible and unaffected by the restrictions. There is no set end date for the lockdown, though it is likely to persist until after the election scheduled for Tuesday. Similar closures occurred in late September for roughly one week and are common during Jewish holidays and elections. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered the destruction of buildings near the attack site, labeling them as illegal Arab structures. He stated the order would be executed immediately and called for a military offensive in the West Bank identical to the ongoing war in Gaza. Residents in the affected areas claimed the demolished houses belonged to families unrelated to the attackers. Subsequent nights saw raids across various West Bank locations, leading to dozens of arrests. Hundreds of families in the attackers' neighborhood were forced to vacate their homes. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued that the incident demonstrated the need to restrict Palestinian freedom of movement. The political context is charged, with Israeli voters deciding next Tuesday whether to grant Netanyahu another term or elect a new leadership. The conflict with Palestinians is a central theme of the campaign, with right-wing politicians seeking support by promising harsh measures against Palestinian violence. Polls suggest a potential deadlock, making it difficult for either Netanyahu’s camp or the opposition to secure a majority. United States President Donald Trump recently voiced support for Netanyahu’s bid for re-election. Background on the region notes that Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War. Approximately three million Palestinians live there alongside more than 600,000 Israeli settlers, whose settlements are considered illegal under international law. The West Bank is divided into areas under Palestinian administration and zones controlled by the Israeli military, particularly in Hebron. Tensions have escalated recently due to settler attacks on Palestinian farmers and reciprocal Palestinian attacks on soldiers and civilians. The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, remains separate from the West Bank authority. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many states, celebrated the Hebron attack as a heroic operation but did not formally claim responsibility. The group launched a mass attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 74,000 deaths according to Hamas-run authorities, a count that does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.