# Israeli Forces Begin Hebron Demolitions After Deadly Attack

> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a "very extensive operation" across the West Bank, initiating demolitions and sieges in Hebron and Halhul following the killing of two Israeli soldiers.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-24T09:57:43.300195Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/israeli-forces-begin-hebron-demolitions-after-deadly-attack-74178bff

Israeli forces began demolishing Palestinian buildings in Hebron on October 23, 2026, hours after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen at a checkpoint outside the city [3]. This action followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order for a "very extensive operation" across the West Bank, including a comprehensive siege on Hebron and the neighboring Palestinian town of Halhul [2].

This immediate and forceful response intensifies an already violent olive harvest season in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Palestinian communities now face escalated aggression from settlers and extensive military-imposed restrictions, transforming a traditional rite into a perilous experience for residents [1].

## What the records show

On October 23, 2026, two Israeli soldiers were killed near Hebron [3]. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by ordering a "very extensive operation" across the West Bank, announcing a siege on Hebron and Halhul [2]. He promised "mass demolitions of homes" and stated that residents from the gunmen's neighborhoods "would all be forced out" [2]. As Israeli forces began raids and demolitions in Hebron, Netanyahu reportedly said, "we will destroy this place" [4][3]. He also instructed the Israeli army to prepare for a "full closure of the occupied West Bank" [5]. Observers characterize these actions as a "collective punishment campaign" against Hebron's Palestinian population [2]. The current olive harvest is "the most violent in years," marked by settler attacks and home sieges, drawing "condemnation from U.S. officials and others" [1].

## The timeline

**October 23, 2026:** Two Israeli soldiers killed near Hebron [3]. Netanyahu orders "very extensive operation," announces siege on Hebron and Halhul, pledging displacement and demolitions [2]. Israeli forces begin demolitions in Hebron [3]. Army instructed to prepare for "full closure of the occupied West Bank" [5].
**Late October 2026:** West Bank olive harvest continues as "the most violent in years" [1].

## What changed and for whom

Palestinian communities in Hebron and Halhul now face sieges, forced displacement, and home demolitions [2]. The olive harvest has become "a gantlet of violence and fear" for farmers due to settler aggression and military restrictions [1]. The broader West Bank population also faces a potential "full closure" [5]. This escalation has drawn "condemnation from U.S. officials and others" [1].

## What the subject has said publicly

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly ordered a "very extensive operation" across the West Bank [2]. He announced a siege on Hebron and Halhul, stating residents of gunmen's neighborhoods "would all be forced out" and pledging "mass demolitions of homes" [2]. He reportedly said, "we will destroy this place" [4], and instructed the army to prepare for a "full closure of the occupied West Bank" [5].

## What we could not confirm

The precise number of Palestinian buildings demolished in Hebron, or specific homes/neighborhoods targeted for forced displacement or mass demolitions, remains unconfirmed. The duration or full extent of the "full closure of the occupied West Bank" has not been specified.

## Evidence cited
1. Israeli Settlers Turn a Palestinian Rite Into a Gantlet of Violence and Fear (www.nytimes.com) — https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/23/world/middleeast/west-bank-settlers-palestinians-harvest.html
2. Israel launches collective punishment campaign in Hebron after two soldiers killed (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/23/netanyahu-orders-very-extensive-operation-west-bank-two-israeli-soldiers-killed
3. Israeli forces begin demolishing Palestinian buildings in Hebron after two Israeli soldiers shot dead (www.bbc.co.uk) — https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq4g1p974wxko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
4. Why is Israel launching a new military operation in the occupied West Bank? (www.aljazeera.com) — https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/24/why-is-israel-launching-a-new-military-operation-in-the-occupied-west-bank?traffic_source=rss
5. News Wrap: White House says Melania Trump brokered localized ceasefire deal in Oleshky (www.pbs.org) — https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/news-wrap-white-house-says-melania-trump-brokered-localized-ceasefire-deal-in-oleshky