Israel began a military operation lasting several days in Hebron and nearby parts of the occupied West Bank on Friday, October 23, after a shooting near the city killed two Israeli soldiers.
The operation involved searches, demolitions and wide-ranging restrictions on movement. The military identified the soldiers as Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20. It said three other people were lightly wounded.
Israeli forces killed the two Palestinian men accused of carrying out the shooting. The shooting happened near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. The military said the men had a rifle and a handgun.
Israel’s military and Shin Bet said troops were questioning suspects and searching for what they called militant infrastructure in the Hebron area. Troops were also demolishing structures that they said could pose a security risk. The operation was expected to continue for several days.
Israel’s leaders said the operation targeted the area where the attackers came from. On Saturday, residents reported that gates leading into and out of Hebron were closed to cars. Palestinian media said dozens of people had been made to leave their homes in some neighborhoods.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Hebron sealed and a wider lockdown across the West Bank. He warned that a broader military campaign could come before Israel’s October 27 election. Hamas praised the shooting but did not claim responsibility, according to AFP.