Hebron Demolition: Two soldiers killed in checkpoint ambush before national vote

Palestinian residents in Hebron face immediate demolition of their homes and new movement restrictions as Israeli forces respond to a checkpoint shooting. The city, which is home to approximately 200,000 people, is now under a cordon imposed by the government. This action occurs four days before Israel holds its national elections.

Two Israeli soldiers were shot dead at a checkpoint outside Hebron on Wednesday. Three other soldiers were wounded in the incident. Footage verified by the BBC shows two armed men exiting a vehicle to open fire on the troops. Both attackers were killed in the ensuing gun battle. The military stated that the gunmen had planned a larger attack on the nearby Route 35 but engaged the checkpoint first.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the scene and declared that the military would demolish the neighborhood where the attackers originated. He described the operation as part of a readiness for extensive action in the West Bank. Netanyahu compared the planned moves to previous operations in refugee camps, which involved the destruction of residential buildings and the displacement of thousands of residents.

The Prime Minister also revealed that he has reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades, though no date was set. He imposed cordons around Hebron and the nearby city of Halhul. The Israeli military reported finding a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers' vehicle.

The incident has intensified the political campaign for the upcoming election. Netanyahu, whose Likud party campaigned on security, ordered the cancellation of Friday morning campaign events. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a West Bank campaign similar to those in Gaza or Lebanon. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

Tensions in the West Bank have risen during the annual olive harvest. According to the UN, at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since the start of 2026. Four Israelis were killed in the territory over the same period, a count that excludes the two soldiers from Wednesday's attack. Opposition leaders, including Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the fallen troops.

Israeli rights groups have long criticized the demolition of Palestinian homes linked to attacks as a form of collective punishment. The military confirmed that the attackers came from a specific neighborhood in Hebron. The city remains under strict security control as the election countdown continues.