Netanyahu Vows Major West Bank Operation, Cites Post-Six-Day War Scale

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the scene of a recent attack near Hebron on Friday, announcing a significant policy shift against terror infrastructure in the West Bank. Netanyahu declared his intention to implement an offensive model within Palestinian cities, mirroring operations in refugee camps. This model involves evacuating residents, conducting house-to-house searches, and demolishing terror infrastructure.

During the visit, Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for a large-scale military operation in the West Bank, describing it as the most extensive since the Six-Day War. "The Defense Minister and I saw a very broad IDF operation in Judea and Samaria, such as has not been done since the Six-Day War," he said. He confirmed the IDF's readiness for the operation, with the timing yet to be determined, adding, "The IDF is ready to carry it out and we will determine the timing, but it is on its way."

Defense Minister Katz clarified that the Hebron neighborhood from which the attackers emerged would be evacuated and its terror infrastructure destroyed, following the model used in Jenin. Netanyahu also announced a closure on Hebron and Halhul, accelerated demolition of illegal structures along roads, and consideration of expanding the offensive model to other West Bank cities.

Both leaders linked the attack to efforts to harm Israel ahead of upcoming elections. Katz alleged that Iran, its proxies, and the Muslim Brotherhood axis are planning attacks to influence the elections. Netanyahu also addressed settlement expansion, stating, "We are going to destroy the terror infrastructure and we are going to build the settlement infrastructure. More than a hundred new settlements that we are building and regulating."