Late Friday, the Israeli military announced that a major raid had begun in Hebron in the West Bank. It is expected to last for several days, Haaretz reports. According to Al Jazeera, raids are also taking place in Nablus and other locations. Extensive blockades have been reported in several places, and families are being forced to leave their homes ahead of planned Israeli demolitions.
The military operation follows Friday's shooting near Hebron, in which three Israeli soldiers and two suspected Palestinian assailants were shot dead. Three more Israeli soldiers were wounded.
The shooting comes four days before the country goes to the polls for the first time since the October 7, 2023 attack - an election seen as a crucial test for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has portrayed himself as Israel's foremost protector.
In an interview with Israeli broadcaster i24, Netanyahu now claims that a “big surprise” awaits the Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the West Bank. After Friday’s attack, Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the authority’s dissolution. However, there is no indication that the Palestinian Authority was involved in the shooting near Hebron.
On Saturday, Israeli settlers attacked and injured Palestinian farmers west of Hebron, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Similar incidents have occurred several times recently.