Netanyahu Orders Hebron Sealed and Wide West Bank Sweep After Two Soldiers Die
Israel’s prime minister authorized a major military campaign in Judea and Samaria following a shooting that killed Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem.
By Yuna Patel ·
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a major military operation in the West Bank on Friday. He also directed troops to cordon off the city of Hebron. The orders followed a shooting attack by two Palestinian men that left two Israeli soldiers dead.
The Israeli military stated that the gunmen opened fire at a junction near Hebron. Forces at the scene killed both shooters. The army later identified the dead soldiers as Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem. Three other soldiers sustained minor wounds in the incident.
Officials said a large quantity of weapons and ammunition was discovered in the attackers' vehicle. The military claimed these items indicated plans for a major attack on civilians. The shooters used an M16 rifle and a handgun, according to army reports.
Netanyahu instructed residents to evacuate the Hebron neighborhood where the gunmen lived. This move precedes a house-to-house search for weapons. He said, "Our first step will be to demolish this site and completely transform it." Hebron is home to more than 200,000 people.
The prime minister described the gunmen as Hamas terrorists. Hamas called the attack heroic and a legitimate response to ongoing crimes against its people and holy sites. The group did not claim direct responsibility but urged armed Palestinians in the West Bank to attack Israeli soldiers and civilians.
The military said it had begun offensive counterterrorism operations in the Hebron area. Soldiers are now operating inside the homes of the attackers and other suspects. The army also reported arresting around 70 wanted Palestinians in West Bank operations over the past week.
Israel holds elections on Tuesday. Netanyahu has made national security a central theme of his campaign for another term. He characterized the shooting as an attempt to influence the vote. His Likud party announced that Netanyahu convened senior security chiefs on Friday and canceled all campaign events for the remainder of the day.
Source: CBS News
