Israel has launched a military operation against terrorism in the Hebron area, in the occupied West Coast, following an armed attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, military and intelligence service Shin Bet announced.
Israeli forces have launched detailed checks in the area, aimed at identifying and destroying the infrastructure that, according to them, are used by terrorist groups, as well as sequenting weapons and questioning suspects.
Army, intelligence services, border police and civilian administration are involved in the operation. According to Israeli authorities, the action will focus on the area from which the attackers acted and is expected to last several days, writes mysophytrael.
According to the Israeli Army, two soldiers were killed and three others were injured during a shootout near Hebron on Friday. The two Palestinians suspected of the attack were also killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed security forces have prevented a serious attack and announced new restrictive measures against Palestinian territory.
He ordered the blocking of Hebron and preparation for closing all crossings to the West Coast.
Netanyahu also warned that the army will enter the settlement from which the attackers come, evacuate residents, and search houses one by one, with the aim of destroying what Israel describes as terrorist infrastructure.
Measures include setting the checkpoints on the road and limiting movement in the area of Hebron and Halhul. Residents of the affected area will be allowed to leave through three separate exits after questioning.
The Israeli Army announced that they are conducting anti-terrorism operations in dozens of other locations in the West Coast.
Israel conquered the West Coast and East Jerusalem during the Six – Day War of 1967. Today, some three million Palestinians and approximately 700 thousand Israelite settlers live in this territory.
The security situation has deteriorated following Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the war that followed at the Gaza Strip.
According to reports by the Palestinian Health Ministry, since then more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed in the West Coast during Israeli military operations, armed clashes and attacks.
The new operation is under way a few days before parliamentary elections in Israel, where security and conflict with Palestinians are among the main topics of the campaign. Right-wing politicians are demanding tougher measures against Palestinian violence, while attacks by radical Israeli settlers against Palestinians continue to cause concern. /Telegraphy/