Israeli forces have launched a major counterterrorism operation around Hebron after two IDF soldiers were killed on Friday, October 23, in a shooting attack at a junction near the West Bank city. The Israeli military said troops killed the two Palestinian gunmen, both from Hebron, after an exchange of fire, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a cordon around Hebron and neighboring Halhul. According to the IDF, about 2,000 Palestinians were evacuated from the area, roughly 200 locations were searched, 10 suspects were arrested and illegal structures obstructing security operations were demolished. The operation involves the IDF, Shin Bet, Border Police and the Judea Regional Brigade, and forces are searching the area for weapons and what the military calls terrorist infrastructure.

Netanyahu has said soldiers will go house to house and has told the army to prepare for a wider closure of the West Bank, adding that the cordon model could be extended to other cities. The IDF has said it believes the gunmen planned a larger attack, and Hamas called on armed Palestinians in the West Bank to attack Israeli soldiers and civilians after the shooting. The operation has drawn sharp criticism: the Guardian called it a collective punishment campaign, and a Palestinian official accused Netanyahu of acting for political gain just days before Tuesday's national election. Hebron is home to more than 200,000 people, and the main questions now are how long the cordon will last, how many more residents will be forced out, and whether the operation will widen across the West Bank.