Israeli army launches massive West Bank operation after Hebron gun attack

The operation, covering more than 400 sites, follows a Friday gun attack in Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sun, 25 Oct 2026 09:10:29 GMT

The Israeli military carried out a massive operation across the occupied West Bank over the weekend, displacing hundreds of Palestinians and imposing strict movement restrictions, the army said.

What happened

After a gun attack in Hebron on Friday that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others, Israeli forces moved into more than 400 locations throughout the West Bank on Saturday and Sunday. The army reported arresting 40 Palestinians it said were linked to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Crossings into Israel remained closed, and most Palestinian workers with permits were barred from entering Israeli communities on Sunday and Monday. Hebron municipal officials said between 200 and 300 families were displaced from Deir Bahha and four surrounding neighbourhoods, and the Palestinian Health Ministry counted 112 Palestinians killed in the same period, including the suspected gunmen.

What the reports add

Families were forced to navigate closed roads on foot; some carried sacks of flour and gas canisters through military gates, and an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair through an opening beside a gate.
In Deir Bahha, Israeli forces warned residents to evacuate overnight, sealing the neighbourhood for a second day and leaving the streets empty except for two military vehicles.
The operation also involved demolitions and the removal of buildings deemed illegal, a promise made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in front of a bulldozer.

What was said

The Israeli military said the arrests targeted individuals “affiliated with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” – Israeli army spokesperson

“We warned a few weeks ago about attempts by our enemies to harm us, our citizens and our soldiers ahead of the election. We will act to destroy this place.” – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, quoted in both the Independent and the Los Angeles Times

“We will remove quite a few buildings, making it clear that terrorism targeting Israeli citizens carries a very heavy price. This is just the beginning.” – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, statement posted on X

“In the past, when we were ordered or asked to leave for a few minutes or a few hours, our homes would be searched, and then we returned. But now our homes and entire neighbourhoods are being evacuated. It’s a very difficult situation.” – Fahed Ahmro, 51‑year‑old city worker, Los Angeles Times

How it came about

The Hebron attack occurred amid a tense pre‑election period, with the upcoming vote seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security policies. Earlier in the week, Netanyahu cancelled all campaign events after a separate West Bank shooting that wounded five Israelis and prompted a strict Hebron lockdown and a full West Bank closure. The heightened security climate followed a series of violent incidents, including a recent water blockade affecting the Ras al‑Ahmar Bedouin community and rising settler intimidation tactics using sheep herds.

Key facts

The Israeli army operated in more than 400 locations across the West Bank over the weekend. (independent.co.uk)
Forty Palestinians were arrested, alleged to be linked to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. (independent.co.uk)
Hundreds of families were displaced, with many forced to walk through closed roads. (independent.co.uk)
Most Palestinian workers with permits were barred from entering Israeli communities on Sunday and Monday. (independent.co.uk)
Hebron was sealed off for a second day, with residents warned to evacuate overnight. (latimes.com)