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The Israeli army announced that it had begun a "large-scale military operation" in Hebron, a city in the southern occupied West Bank where clashes have occurred. In a written statement, the military said strikes would be concentrated in the area where those behind a clash that killed two Israeli soldiers are located.

Military activity in the area will continue for "several more days", the army said, adding that Palestinians inside the operation zone would be allowed to leave through three designated points after being searched and questioned.

Raids carried out with internal security and border police

The raids and strikes under the operation were conducted in cooperation with Israel's internal security service Shin Bet (Shabak), the border police and the civil administration, according to the military's statement.

Witnesses said the Israeli army entered Hebron with 20 military vehicles and fired flare guns as it moved in.

Hebron and Halhul placed under military cordon

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth and the Walla website reported that the army had placed the Hebron and Halhul areas under a "military cordon" and banned entry to and exit from the towns. The restrictions were carried out alongside wide-ranging search operations and raids on Palestinian homes.

The army was also reported to have rolled out a measure called "Grey Exiles" across the West Bank, claiming it aims to prevent new attacks, and to have started searching Palestinian-owned vehicles in Nablus, Jenin and Jericho.

Israel's Channel 13 reported that army units and border police began assault operations in Hebron and nearby villages, raiding Palestinian homes and carrying out waves of detentions. Yedioth Ahronoth, citing military officials, said forces had started preparations to demolish the homes of Palestinians suspected of involvement in the incident and were questioning people linked to it.

Israel Hayom reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had announced a reinforcement of the military presence in Hebron, including the deployment of the 98th Division, and that the army was on its highest alert level on all fronts.

Two soldiers and two Palestinians killed at checkpoint

A clash at a checkpoint in Hebron yesterday morning left two Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead. The army closed all entrances to and exits from the city and the surrounding villages afterwards.

Netanyahu and Katz threaten demolitions and expulsions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to expel residents of the neighbourhood where the two Palestinians who fought Israeli soldiers lived and to demolish their homes. Netanyahu said Israel would carry out "comprehensive attacks" in the West Bank.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said the neighbourhoods of the Palestinians involved in the clash in Hebron would be emptied completely and demolished.

After the armed clash, Netanyahu ordered the immediate closure of entrances to and exits from 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, expected to last several more days.
• Hebron and Halhul were placed under a military cordon with entry and exit banned, alongside raids on Palestinian homes and detentions.
• A clash at a Hebron checkpoint yesterday morning killed two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened to demolish and clear the neighbourhoods of the Palestinians involved.