Netanyahu Threatens Major West Bank Operation, Vows Settlement Expansion
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced potential large-scale military operations in the West Bank, involving evacuations and home searches, following a recent shooting. He also vowed to expand Israeli settlements, stating plans to establish over 100 new settlements and outposts. The military operation's timing and scope remain unspecified, but Netanyahu indicated it would be unprecedented since 1967. These announcements come amid heightened military presence and restrictions in the Hebron area.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu announced potential large-scale military operations in the West Bank.
- The planned operation includes evacuating residents and searching homes, according to Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu also pledged to continue expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
- He stated Israel is working to establish over 100 new settlements and outposts.
- The military operation's timing and scope have not yet been specified.
- The announcements followed a shooting incident near Hebron.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated the possibility of a large-scale military operation in the West Bank, stating that the Israeli army is preparing to act using a model previously applied in refugee camps. This model involves evacuating residents, searching homes, and destroying what he described as terrorist infrastructure. Netanyahu made these remarks during a visit to the Hebron region following a shooting incident near the city that injured several Israelis and resulted in the deaths of the perpetrators, according to the Israeli account. He asserted that the army would work to change the reality in the area from which the attackers launched their operation, detailing steps such as sequential home searches, weapons confiscation, and the destruction of what Israel deems armed-activity-related infrastructure.
Netanyahu further elaborated that the Israeli military is preparing for an unprecedented West Bank operation since 1967, with the timing to be determined later. He mentioned that Israel had received warnings weeks prior about attempts to carry out attacks targeting Israelis before elections, suggesting the Hebron shooting was part of this context. He praised the soldiers involved in responding to the incident, noting they stopped the gunmen despite sustaining injuries. Additionally, he announced plans to intensify military measures in Hebron and Dura, and that the government would consider applying the same model in other West Bank cities.
In parallel, Netanyahu stated Israel would expedite the demolition of structures it deems illegal along roads, citing them as a danger to Israeli forces. These statements coincide with heightened military measures in the Hebron area, including area closures and movement restrictions, following the Friday morning shooting. Netanyahu did not specify other potential areas for operations, nor did he provide details on their scope or start date.
Separately, Netanyahu praised Israeli settlers and pledged to continue expanding settlements in the West Bank, alongside dismantling what he termed terrorist infrastructure. He indicated Israel is working to establish and organize over a hundred new settlements and more than a hundred outposts. Netanyahu's statements reflect a dual approach of escalating military operations and field measures, coupled with expanding settlement activity, as plans for the West Bank are anticipated.
