Netanyahu Vows Massive Hebron Crackdown and Settlement Surge After Attack
PM Benjamin Netanyahu orders a full lockdown in the West Bank and plans massive settlement expansion following a terror attack in Hebron.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a "full lockdown" of the West Bank following a violent assault in Hebron that left five people wounded. The attack, allegedly carried out by Hamas militants, occurred just five days before Israel is scheduled to head to the polls, prompting a fierce response from the Israeli leadership.
A 'Full Lockdown' and House-to-House Raids
Visiting Hebron to assess the situation, Prime Minister Netanyahu accused enemies of attempting to destabilize the region and harm citizens and soldiers ahead of the upcoming elections. He praised the IDF soldiers who intercepted the attackers, stating that they fought back with courage and "liquidated" the militants.
The Prime Minister outlined a brutal security strategy to ensure such attacks do not recur. He announced that Israel will implement an "offensive model" previously used in refugee camps, which he described as terrorist strongholds. This plan involves:
- Neighborhood Clearance: IDF forces will enter the specific Hebron neighborhood where the terrorists emerged, conducting house-to-house searches.
- Infrastructure Destruction: Security forces will clear out residents to locate and destroy weapons and terror infrastructure.
- Strategic Sieges: A siege has been placed on the cities of Hebron and Halhul, with the possibility of expanding this model to other urban centers.
- Removal of Illegal Structures: Houses located along axes that threaten Israeli forces will be cleared out.
Military Operations on a Massive Scale
Netanyahu hinted at a looming military escalation in the region. He revealed that he and the Minister of Defence have reviewed plans for an extensive IDF operation in Judea and Samaria. According to the Prime Minister, this operation would be the largest of its kind since the Six-Day War.
"The IDF is prepared to carry it out; we will choose the timing, but it is on the way," Netanyahu remarked.
Settlement Expansion: 'Destroy Terror, Build Homes'
Beyond the immediate security crackdown, Netanyahu used his visit to signal a major shift in the territorial landscape of the West Bank. He lauded local settlers as "heroic" and "beacons to the State of Israel," promising a massive expansion of Israeli presence in the area.
The Prime Minister declared a dual strategy of demolition and construction: "We are going to destroy the infrastructure of terror and build the infrastructure of settlement."
To achieve this, the Israeli government plans to:
- Establish over 100 new settlements in the region and elsewhere.
- Create more than 100 new outposts to solidify control.
Current Status of the Attack
The IDF has confirmed that two of the terrorists involved in the initial assault have been killed. However, the operation is far from over, as a manhunt continues for other potential militants who may still be at large in the area.