Israel launched a large-scale military operation in the West Bank
It will last several days.
Photo: Mahmoud Illean / AP
The Israeli army and security forces have launched a large-scale anti-terrorist operation in the Hebron area of the West Bank. It will last several days, Bild reports.
The reason was an attack on Israeli soldiers on the morning of October 23, in which two soldiers were killed and three more were wounded. Two suspected Palestinian attackers were killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military prevented a "major terrorist attack" and ordered Hebron to be immediately blockaded.
In the evening, the Israeli army and the internal security service SHABAK announced the start of systematic searches.
"Forces have begun a targeted, precise, and comprehensive survey of the area to detect and eliminate terrorist infrastructure and weapons," their joint statement said.
Border police and the civil administration are also participating in the operation. According to the Israeli side, the main actions are limited to the area from which the attackers operated.
Security forces blockaded Hebron and the neighboring city of Halhul, setting up roadblocks. Local residents can only leave the cordoned-off area through three specially designated checkpoints after inspection. The military also intends to demolish illegal structures which, according to their assessment, pose a security threat.
Simultaneously, operations are taking place in dozens of other settlements in the West Bank. The escalation occurred a few days before parliamentary elections in Israel, scheduled for October 27.