Netanyahu vows large-scale West Bank operation, starting with expulsion of Palestinians in Hebron

Netanyahu said Israel was preparing a major military operation across the occupied West Bank. He described it as potentially larger than any Israeli operation there since Israel occupied the territory in 1967. The announcement matters because it signals a possible sharp escalation after a deadly attack in Hebron.

The first phase would begin in Hebron, according to Netanyahu. It would involve the forced displacement of Palestinians, searches of homes, and the destruction of what he called “terrorist infrastructure.” Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said troops would pursue everyone involved in the attack and act forcefully.

The operation had not yet begun when Netanyahu spoke. He said the army was ready, but he and Defence Minister Israel Katz would decide the timing. The announcement came during what Zamir called a sensitive election week, raising the possibility of a major security campaign while tensions were already high.

The West Bank is a landlocked territory between Israel and Jordan, west of the Jordan River. It is home to Palestinians and includes cities such as Hebron. The territory has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, although Palestinian authorities exercise limited administration in parts of it.

Hebron is a large city in the southern West Bank. It is an important Palestinian urban centre and a frequent focus of Israeli-Palestinian tension. In this article, it is where the attack occurred and where Netanyahu later spoke with right-wing allies.

The locations matter because military action in a densely populated city can directly affect homes, families, and movement. Netanyahu said the proposed operation would start in Hebron with forced displacement and house searches. The article does not give a planned map, timetable, or geographic boundary for the wider operation.

The proposed operation would be unusually large by Netanyahu’s own description. He and Defence Minister Israel Katz were considering an army campaign in the West Bank on a scale not seen since Israel occupied the territory in 1967. That comparison suggests a major escalation, not a limited raid.

The article identifies the planned opening actions: forced displacement in Hebron, searches of homes, and destruction of alleged “terrorist infrastructure.” Netanyahu said the army was ready to carry out the operation. However, he did not provide figures for troop strength, geographic coverage, duration, or the number of homes involved.

The exact scale therefore remains undefined. The operation had not started, and Netanyahu said its timing would be set by him and Katz. Its potential significance comes from the historical comparison and from the possibility that fighting and military measures could spread beyond the immediate attack site across the West Bank.

The immediate trigger was an attack in Hebron on Friday that killed two Israeli soldiers. Netanyahu visited the site later that day with right-wing allies and used the moment to announce the possible large-scale operation. The attack created the stated security context for the planned response.

After the attack, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in an exchange of fire. Six Israeli soldiers were also wounded in that exchange. The article does not identify the Palestinians or explain whether they were alleged attackers, other participants, or people caught in the fighting.

These casualties show that the announcement followed active violence rather than a calm political debate. Netanyahu called for forced displacement, home searches, and destruction of alleged militant infrastructure. Army chief Eyal Zamir said troops would pursue everyone involved, while also warning that the army was facing a sensitive week during the election.

Forced displacement can separate families from their homes and communities, disrupt work and schooling, and leave people without secure shelter. Home searches can bring fear, loss of privacy, detention risks, and damage to property. Destroying alleged militant infrastructure may also damage nearby civilian buildings, roads, or services if military targets are located within populated areas.

In Hebron, the proposed first phase would combine all three measures. Palestinians could be ordered or compelled to leave, while soldiers searched homes and demolished structures identified as terrorist infrastructure. The article gives no details about how many people might be displaced, which homes might be searched, or what safeguards would be used.

The civilian consequences therefore depend on how the operation is carried out. International humanitarian law requires distinction, proportionality, precautions, and protection for civilians. If those duties were not met, the measures could produce serious humanitarian harm. The article confirms only the plan, not its eventual effects or legality.

The West Bank is commonly described as occupied because Israel has exercised overarching military control there since capturing it in the 1967 war. Occupation is a legal status, not the same as recognized sovereignty. It means the occupying power has effective control while the territory’s final political status remains unresolved.

Governance is divided in practice. The Palestinian Authority administers some civilian matters in parts of the West Bank, while Israel retains broad security powers and military authority. The precise arrangements vary by area. The article itself does not explain this division; it describes the territory simply as occupied and focuses on Israel’s army plans.

That wording matters for the proposed operation. An occupying power has duties toward the population under its control. Military action must address security threats while respecting civilian protections and occupation law. Netanyahu’s proposed displacement, searches, and destruction would therefore be assessed against those legal duties, not only against Israel’s stated security goals.

International humanitarian law treats occupation as temporary control, not ownership. The occupying power must protect civilians, maintain essential services where possible, and ensure humane treatment. It must distinguish civilians from fighters, use proportionate force, and take precautions to reduce civilian harm during attacks and military operations.

Forcible displacement is generally prohibited unless temporary evacuation is strictly required for civilian safety or imperative military reasons. Homes cannot be destroyed simply as punishment or retaliation. Property destruction must be justified by military necessity and conducted lawfully. Searches and arrests must follow safeguards against arbitrary treatment, and collective punishment is prohibited.

These rules would apply to any operation in Hebron and elsewhere in the West Bank. The article reports Netanyahu’s proposed measures but does not establish whether specific actions would violate the law. Legality would depend on the facts, including the purpose of displacement, the targets searched, the necessity of destruction, and the precautions taken to protect civilians.