In brief
On 23 October 2026, two Israeli soldiers were shot dead by Palestinian gunmen outside the Hebron checkpoint. The Israeli Prime Minister announced that the neighbourhood from which the attackers came would be demolished, marking a new phase of military retaliation. Soldiers recovered ammunition from the attackers’ vehicle and warned of a larger planned attack on Route 35. The incident has intensified tensions amid an approaching general election and has drawn criticism over collective punishment of Palestinians. Netanyahu’s remarks and the subsequent demolition underscore the fragile security situation in the West Bank.
Hebron, West Bank – The Israeli military began demolishing Palestinian buildings in the city of Hebron after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen at a checkpoint on 23 October 2026.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the military would "destroy" the neighbourhood where the two attackers came from, warning of "extensive action" in the occupied West Bank. The statement was made as the country faced escalating tensions, including a rising number of settler attacks during the annual olive harvest and an upcoming general election in just four days.
Three other soldiers were wounded in the gun battle, which began when two gunmen – armed with a handgun and an assault rifle – fired at soldiers outside a checkpoint before being met with return fire. Footage released by the BBC showed the intense exchange and confirmed that the attackers were killed on the spot.
The Israeli military said it found a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle and reported that the gunmen had intended to launch a larger attack on nearby Route 35. The death toll of Palestinian civilians and community members in the West Bank has risen to 96 since the start of the year, according to the United Nations.
The incident has already influenced the election campaign: Netanyahu, a security‑focused politician, announced that Likud party events scheduled for Friday morning would be cancelled. He also put forward plans for a large‑scale operation in the West Bank, although no timeline was provided.
Israel’s far‑right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for a campaign in the West Bank that mirrored actions taken in Gaza and Lebanon, and for dismantling the Palestinian Authority entirely.
Opposition figures, including frontrunner Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, offered condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and praised those who neutralised the attackers.
