In brief
Israeli forces started demolishing Palestinian homes in the West Bank city of Hebron after the killing of two Israeli soldiers by gunmen. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the neighbourhood would be destroyed and warned of extensive action in the occupied territory. The incident has intensified tensions amid an election campaign, prompting the cancellation of events and calls for hard‑line measures by far‑right ministers.
Israeli forces have begun demolishing Palestinian homes in the city of Hebron following the death of two Israeli soldiers in an attack by Palestinian gunmen.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the military would "destroy" the neighbourhood where the attackers came from and that Israel was ready for "extensive action" in the occupied West Bank.
Three soldiers were wounded before the gunmen were shot dead at a checkpoint outside Hebron, according to officials.
The incident comes amid high tensions with extremist Jewish settlers targeting Palestinians in the annual olive harvest and a national election scheduled in four days.
Footage shows a fierce gun battle between soldiers and two gunmen, who exited a car armed with a handgun and assault rifle before being killed.
Netanyahu said he had reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades, though he did not specify when it might be carried out.
He also announced cordons around Hebron, a city of about 200,000 residents, and the nearby city of Halhul.
Far‑right ministers called for a hard‑line campaign in the West Bank akin to Gaza or Lebanon and for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.
The Israeli military says it found a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle and believes they intended a larger attack on Route 35.
At least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the start of the year, according to the United Nations. Four Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in the same period, not including Friday’s attack.
Meanwhile, the attack has shaken the current election campaign, prompting Netanyahu to cancel campaign events and criticize opponents for undermining security.
An Israeli digger demolishing a Palestinian house in Hebron, 23 October 2026.
