Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has initiated preparations for a military operation in the West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered preparations for a sweeping military operation across the occupied West Bank after a shooting near Hebron killed two Israeli soldiers, raising fears of further escalation and widespread restrictions on Palestinian movement just days before Israel’s October 27 election.
He compared the planned operation with Israel’s 2025 military offensive in northern West Bank refugee camps, which displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians, according to the UN human rights office. The escalation comes just days before Israel’s October 27 election, putting security and Netanyahu’s handling of Palestinian attacks at the centre of the political debate. The October 27 vote is the first Israeli national election since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and the subsequent wars that reshaped the country’s security debate.
Reuters reported that opinion polls showed Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition at risk of losing its parliamentary majority, with former military chief Gadi Eisenkot emerging as a leading challenger. Netanyahu can use the response to reinforce his image as a leader who takes a hard line on security, while pressure from far-right coalition partners for a broader offensive adds to calls for tougher action against Palestinians.
The latest escalation in the West Bank could further intensify the campaign’s focus on national security, although Netanyahu’s political future will also depend on coalition negotiations after the vote.