Israeli forces launch Hebron raids after deadly shooting at checkpoint

Israeli soldiers raid the occupied West Bank after a Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers near the city of Hebron, triggering the huge operation as soldiers conducted searches, house demolitions and movement restrictions throughout the territory.

The Israeli military said Friday its forces were on an operation to find weapons and to demolish terrorist infrastructure. The operation would continue for a number of days, the military said in a statement as reported by The Associated Press.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had authorized preparations for a large-scale operation and detention of West Bank residents in the aftermath of the shooting near Hebron. Israeli forces shot dead the two Palestinian gunmen, while three others were injured in the attack, officials said.

Troops also started leveling houses they said were security threats, while facilitating residents’ movement via approved corridors where security checks were carried out.

The move drew rejection from Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, which condemned collective punishment and the expulsion of Palestinian civilians. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, meanwhile, expressed regret over the closure of Palestinian livelihoods and called for a ceasefire on both sides.

This comes just days before Israel’s parliamentary election, with security a major part of the campaign for Netanyahu and his political opponents.