96 Palestinians Dead as Israeli Forces Tear Down Hebron Buildings
Demolition crews began razing structures in Hebron on Thursday after two soldiers were killed at a checkpoint, with Israel voting in four days.
By Luana Foster ·
At least 96 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of 2026, according to United Nations figures released this week. That death toll stands as Israeli military crews began demolishing Palestinian buildings in the city of Hebron on Thursday. The action followed a shooting at a checkpoint where two soldiers were killed and three others were wounded.
Officials confirmed that two Palestinian gunmen died in the exchange. Footage verified by the BBC shows the attackers leaving a vehicle armed with a handgun and an assault rifle. They opened fire on the checkpoint before soldiers returned the fire. The Israeli military stated it found a large quantity of ammunition in the car. It believes the men intended to attack the nearby Route 35 but chose the checkpoint instead.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke from the scene on Thursday. He declared that the military would "demolish this place and completely transform it." He referred to the Hebron neighborhood the attackers reportedly came from. Netanyahu said Israel was prepared for "extensive action" in the occupied West Bank. He compared these plans to earlier operations in refugee camps where residential buildings were leveled and thousands were displaced.
The prime minister also said he reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank in decades. He did not specify a timeline for that operation. He added that forces had imposed cordons around Hebron and the nearby city of Halhul. Hebron is home to approximately 200,000 residents.
The incident has entered the final stretch of the election campaign. Israel votes on Thursday. The Likud party canceled campaign events planned for Friday morning. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for a campaign in the West Bank "exactly like in Gaza or Lebanon." National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged Israel to dismantle the Palestinian Authority.
Political friction emerged on Thursday as Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government. He claimed they would be "responsible" for any future attack. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the dead soldiers. They praised the forces that killed the attackers.
Tensions in the West Bank have remained high as extremist Jewish settlers target Palestinians during the annual olive harvest. The UN figure of 96 Palestinian deaths does not include the four Israelis killed by Palestinians in the same period. Those four include security personnel and civilians. The latest checkpoint attack added two more to the Israeli death toll.
Source: BBC News
