Israel demolishes Hebron buildings after two soldiers killed
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Egypt Independent
Israel began demolishing buildings and evacuating residents in a Hebron neighbourhood after an attack killed two Israeli soldiers and lightly wounded three others. Benjamin Netanyahu’s government also announced a multi-day operation in the area, according to the Israeli army and internal security agency.
Israel began demolishing buildings and evacuating residents from a neighbourhood in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, on Friday 23 October, after a shooting attack killed two soldiers and lightly wounded three others, according to the Israeli army. Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a military checkpoint.
The army and the Israeli Security Agency announced a multi-day operation in the area from which the attackers set out. Israeli forces are conducting searches there, looking for weapons and infrastructure they describe as terrorist, and questioning suspects. Residents can leave the area through three exit points before undergoing security checks. The Israeli authorities also said that structures deemed illegal and likely to pose a security threat would be demolished.
After the attack, the army announced a “total siege” of Hebron and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure of the West Bank. He later referred to a cordon around Hebron and Halhul, which could be extended to other areas. Netanyahu also said that the forces would forcibly evacuate the area of the attack and transform it, following a method used in 2025 in several Palestinian refugee camps.
The operation follows shooting near Hebron, which wounded five Israelis according to the toll published on 23 October. The previous day, Netanyahu had announced an imminent military operation in the West Bank.
