Israeli forces began demolishing buildings in Hebron after two soldiers died in a shooting attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed to take further action.
Israeli forces started tearing down Palestinian structures in Hebron on Friday. This action followed a deadly attack on Israeli soldiers.
Two Palestinian gunmen killed two soldiers at a checkpoint. They also wounded three other military personnel during the firefight.
Next, soldiers shot and killed both attackers at the scene. Military officials found a large amount of ammunition in their car.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the location. He promised to destroy the neighborhood where the gunmen once lived.
Also, Netanyahu plans to transform the area completely. He compared this action to past operations that displaced thousands of people.
Then, the Prime Minister announced new restrictions on Hebron. He placed a cordon around the city and the nearby town of Halhul.
However, many human rights groups oppose these house demolitions. They argue that such actions count as unfair collective punishment.
Furthermore, the incident impacts the upcoming Israeli general election. Netanyahu canceled his campaign events to focus on the security situation.
After that, other political leaders responded to the violence. Some far-right ministers called for even tougher military action in the region.
Still, opposition leaders offered their condolences to the families of the fallen. They also praised the soldiers who stopped the gunmen.
As a result, tensions remain high in the occupied West Bank. Violent clashes between settlers and Palestinians have increased during the harvest season.
Finally, the United Nations reports rising death tolls this year. At least 96 Palestinians and four Israelis have died in recent conflicts.