Netanyahu Plans Major Military Operation in West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that Israel is gearing up for a large-scale military operation in Judea and Samaria, commonly referred to as the West Bank. This planned operation is being characterized as one of the most significant since the 1967 Six-Day War, coming on the heels of an attack in which Palestinian terrorists killed two Israeli soldiers near Hebron, just days ahead of the national election.

After a security briefing, Netanyahu emphasized that the intended operation would be unprecedented in its range. “The defense minister and I have overseen the planning of a very extensive IDF operation in Judea and Samaria — on a scale not seen since the Six-Day War,” he stated. He went on to express confidence that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are prepared, indicating that the timing of the operation will be determined soon.

This announcement followed a deadly incident at a military checkpoint near Hebron, where two Palestinian assailants opened fire on Israeli soldiers early Friday. The attack tragically resulted in the deaths of Staff Sgt. Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, and Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, both of whom were members of the IDF’s 775th Ari Battalion. Three other soldiers sustained injuries during the attack.

Israeli forces responded by killing both assailants after an extended firefight lasting over 20 minutes. Preliminary investigations suggest that the attackers had aimed to assault Israeli civilians on a nearby highway but instead engaged the soldiers at the checkpoint. They were found to be carrying significant ammunition, indicating a potential plan for a larger operation.

Netanyahu has indicated that the forthcoming operation will involve an assertive counterterrorism strategy that has been previously used against terrorist strongholds, particularly in West Bank refugee camps. “We will evacuate the residents, go from house to house, remove the weapons there, and address and demolish all terrorist infrastructure,” he outlined.

In addition to this, Netanyahu directed security forces to seal off Hebron and prepare for a wider lockdown throughout Judea and Samaria, as the IDF deployed more troops and initiated arrest operations. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir confirmed that additional resources, including the headquarters of the 98th Division, have been sent to the region. He remarked on the importance of readiness in response to the evolving situation.

Amid these developments, IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth announced the commencement of a substantial counterterrorism operation while securing Hebron and the nearby area of Halhul. He stated that the soldiers’ timely actions had thwarted a serious attack against Israeli civilians, though he acknowledged the unfortunate loss of the two servicemen.

In a related move, Israeli authorities began demolishing unauthorized structures close to Hebron, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirming that heavy machinery has been deployed for this purpose.

These military actions come just before the national election scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, with warnings from Netanyahu and senior defense officials that hostile elements might attempt to launch attacks during this critical period. “We warned several weeks ago about attempts by our enemies to harm us, our civilians and our soldiers ahead of the elections,” Netanyahu commented, referencing the recent attack.

Defense Minister Israel Katz also cautioned against possible attempts by Iran and its proxies to influence the upcoming election through violence, although there has been no evidence linking Tehran to the recent shooting incident. While Hamas has voiced support for the attack, it has not claimed direct responsibility, as Israeli security agencies continue to assess whether the attackers acted alone or as part of a broader network.

Netanyahu has yet to specify when the larger military operation will begin, leaving the timeline for what he referred to as Israel’s most extensive military initiative in the West Bank since 1967 uncertain as the nation approaches its national election.