Why is Israel launching a new military operation in the occupied West Bank?
Israel's military has launched a major operation in the occupied West Bank, planning mass arrests, home demolitions and forced displacement following an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces have begun a major "counterterrorism" operation in the Hebron area of the occupied West Bank, involving soldiers, police and other security agents. The military announced the campaign would last "several days" and complement operations in "dozens" of other areas across the West Bank.
By Saturday morning, Israeli forces had raided at least 15 towns in the northern West Bank, including Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Qalqilya, arresting dozens of Palestinians. Videos from the al-Jalda area of Hebron showed soldiers standing guard while military vehicles and objects blocked roads.
Earlier, Israeli bulldozers demolished a three-storey building in Hebron while ordering hundreds of Palestinian families to leave their homes in the Ein Deir Bahha area. Al Jazeera correspondents reported widespread anxiety as Palestinians largely avoided streets during the operation.
Attack triggers lockdown
The operation follows an attack at an Israeli military checkpoint near Hebron on Friday that killed two Israeli soldiers. The two suspected Palestinian gunmen were shot dead during the incident. Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank in response.
Netanyahu announced Israeli forces would conduct "extensive waves of arrests" and pursue Hamas fighters "wherever they are and at all times". The lockdown comes just days before Israel's election on Tuesday, during which Israel had already been planning to secure the occupied territory.
Regional tensions escalate
The operation occurs amid signs that Israel and the United States are preparing for potential attacks on Iran. According to The New York Times, the two countries have drafted plans for a campaign against Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile arsenal, targeting after the US midterm elections on November 3.
US President Donald Trump appeared to confirm these plans at a rally, saying "We may do another little epic fury," referencing the codename for the US-Israel war against Iran that began with attacks on February 28.
The West Bank operation follows weeks of increased violence against Palestinians, with 409 attacks recorded by Israeli forces or settlers against Palestinian farmers, their land, olive trees and agricultural equipment during October alone.
International condemnation
The operation has drawn criticism from the United Nations and human rights organizations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern about West Bank closures that would restrict Palestinians' "access to basic services and livelihoods".
Israeli rights group B'Tselem warned the planned offensive amounts to "collective punishment and acts that could constitute war crimes". The group stated: "The world cannot stand by as Israel continues its assault on Palestinians, waiting for yet more neighbourhoods to be emptied and erased before intervening."
Far-right Israeli officials have supported the operation, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calling for it to proceed "exactly like in Gaza" and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir demanding the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative party, warned that the lockdown was turning every city and village into "a small prison" that would "lead to explosions".
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