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The Israeli army announced a "large-scale military operation" in Hebron, in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, where fighting broke out at a checkpoint yesterday morning. Two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians were killed in the clash.

The army said strikes would be intensified in the area where those behind the attack were located and that the activity would continue "a few more days," while eyewitnesses reported about 20 military vehicles entering the city as flare guns were fired.

Operation launched with Shin Bet and border police

In a written statement, the Israeli army said operations in the area would last "a few more days" and that Palestinians inside the military zone in Hebron would be allowed to leave through three designated points after being searched and questioned.

The raids and strikes were carried out in cooperation with Israel's internal security service Shin Bet (Shabak), the border police and the civil administration, according to the statement. Eyewitnesses said the army entered Hebron with 20 military vehicles and fired flare guns.

Hebron and Halhul placed under military cordon

Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper and the Walla website reported that the army placed the Hebron and Halhul areas under a "military cordon" and banned entry to and exit from the cities. The restrictions were carried out alongside extensive search operations and raids on Palestinian homes, the reports said.

The army also began applying a measure it calls "Grey Deportations" across the West Bank under the claim of "preventing new attacks," starting to search Palestinian vehicles in Nablus, Jenin and Jericho. Israel's Channel 13 reported that army units and border police began assault operations in Hebron and surrounding villages, raiding homes and carrying out waves of arrests.

Yedioth Ahronoth, citing military officials, reported that Israeli forces began work to prepare the demolition of homes belonging to Palestinians accused of involvement in the incident and questioned suspects believed to be connected to it. Israel Hayom reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced the military presence in Hebron would be reinforced, including the deployment of the 98th Division, and that the army was at the highest level of alert on all fronts.

Deaths at checkpoint preceded closures

Two Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were killed in the clash at a checkpoint in Hebron yesterday morning. The army closed all entrances and exits to the city and surrounding villages after the incident.

Government orders closures and demolition warnings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to expel residents and demolish homes in the neighborhood where the two Palestinians killed in the clash with Israeli soldiers lived, and said Israel would "carry out comprehensive attacks" in the West Bank.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said the neighborhoods of the Palestinians involved in the Hebron clash would be completely emptied and demolished. Netanyahu ordered the immediate closure of entrances and exits to Hebron, the start of preparations for a full blockade across the occupied West Bank, and additional security measures.

Key takeaways

• The Israeli army announced a "large-scale military operation" in Hebron after two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians were killed at a checkpoint there yesterday morning.
• The operation is being conducted with Shin Bet, the border police and the civil administration, and the army said it would continue for "a few more days."
• Hebron and Halhul were placed under a military cordon with entry and exit banned, while raids, arrests and home searches were carried out.
• Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz threatened to expel residents and demolish the homes of Palestinians linked to the clash.