HEBRON BECOMES THE FLASHPOINT: NETANYAHU PREPARES WIDER WEST BANK OFFENSIVE AS ISRAEL’S ELECTION APPROACHES
October 24, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered preparations for a major military operation across the occupied West Bank following a deadly shooting near Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers, escalating tensions just days before Israel’s October 27 election. The proposed offensive has raised concerns about further violence, restrictions on Palestinian movement and the potential displacement of residents.
The shooting occurred on Friday near a temporary military checkpoint outside Hebron. According to the Israeli military, two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on soldiers after failing to reach a nearby highway, where the military suspected they intended to attack civilians. A subsequent exchange of fire lasted more than 20 minutes, according to a preliminary military investigation. Five Israelis were wounded, two of whom later died. Israeli forces subsequently killed both Palestinian attackers.
Following the incident, Netanyahu convened security consultations and ordered an immediate cordon around Hebron, while directing officials to prepare for a wider closure of the occupied West Bank. The restrictions threaten to disrupt movement between Palestinian towns and villages, affecting residents’ access to workplaces, healthcare, education and other essential services.
During a visit to Hebron, Netanyahu announced plans for an extensive military operation targeting the neighbourhood from which the attackers were believed to have emerged. He said Israeli forces would evacuate residents, conduct house-to-house searches, seize weapons and dismantle what Israel describes as militant infrastructure. He also indicated that the operation could be extended to other parts of the West Bank.
Netanyahu referred to Israel’s previous military campaign in refugee camps in the northern West Bank, launched in January 2025, as a model for the proposed operation. That campaign resulted in the displacement of thousands of Palestinians, according to United Nations reporting. The prospect of similar measures in Hebron has raised concerns about the humanitarian consequences for civilians living in the targeted areas.
The Israeli military has already intensified operations in the vicinity, including searches of homes and efforts to locate weapons. Restrictions on roads and movement have also tightened, with Palestinian communities facing additional obstacles to travel. The extent and duration of any broader closure remain central concerns as residents confront the possibility of further disruption.
The escalation comes at a politically sensitive moment. Israelis are scheduled to vote on October 27, and national security has become a central issue in the campaign. Netanyahu’s response to the attack could reinforce his efforts to present himself as a leader prepared to take a hard line on security, while the country’s political opposition continues to challenge his leadership and electoral prospects.
Pressure from far-right political allies has also strengthened calls for tougher action in the occupied territory. The attack and the government’s response have consequently intensified the debate over security policy, military operations and the future of Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
The wider situation remains volatile, with violence involving Israeli forces, Palestinian attackers and Israeli settlers contributing to growing insecurity. The latest shooting has prompted another round of military preparations and restrictions, while the prospect of a broad offensive threatens to deepen the crisis for civilians already affected by prolonged conflict.
Netanyahu has said the military is prepared to carry out the operation, although its full scope and timing remain to be determined. As Israel approaches election day, the unfolding situation in Hebron has placed security, military escalation and the consequences for Palestinians at the centre of an increasingly charged political and humanitarian crisis.
