Israel prepares major military operation following deadly West Bank clashes
Qwenews.com – Israel prepares major military operation in the West Bank after a violent confrontation left four Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers dead. The Israel Defense Forces announced Friday that a large-scale deployment is underway, responding to an incident that began when settlers entered a restricted zone for an unauthorized hike near the Palestinian village of Tell. The escalating violence has prompted military officials to cancel leave and mobilize reinforcements for what they describe as a significant counter-operation.
Deadly confrontation sparks military response
The incident unfolded when a group of Israeli settlers approached the village of Tell, leading to armed clashes with local residents. According to military reports, an armed settler attempted to push away two Palestinian men with his rifle. One Palestinian grabbed the weapon’s strap, and seconds later was seen holding the rifle. At least a dozen shots were fired from multiple locations during the chaos.
The Palestinian man reportedly took the weapon from a security officer at the nearby Havat Gilad settlement, who was killed in the exchange. A second Israeli soldier also died during the incident. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that four Palestinians were shot by Israeli soldiers, with Walid Zeiden, the village committee leader, identifying them as family members including two brothers and two cousins. At least three additional Palestinians were wounded.
Political and international reactions intensify
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded immediate action, calling for the demolition of Palestinian villages in the affected area. “The population must be evacuated for its own protection, and these villages must be cleared of terrorist infrastructure and terrorists in order to restore deterrence and security to the area,” Smotrich stated Friday. Video footage captured soldiers and armed settlers forcing Palestinians from the area, with Hebrew calls for “revenge” audible in the background.
“Israel must take immediate steps to prevent settler violence, protect Palestinian communities, and ensure that those responsible for attacks are held accountable,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process.
The UN called for urgent action to halt the escalating violence amid ongoing settler attacks. The Palestinian Authority condemned the violence while criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz for accelerating settlement expansion. WAFA reported that the PA also urged Washington to intervene and compel Israel to stop the escalation and the crimes committed by Israeli colonists.
Curfew imposed as operation expands
The IDF announced a curfew on the Palestinian villages of Tell and Bureij, along with the Jewish settlement of Shiloh. Despite acknowledging that the deaths of the Israeli soldiers were not pre-planned, military officials are treating the event as a terror attack. The IDF stated it would pursue dozens of Palestinians connected to the incident and has begun preparing for a large-scale operation in the region.
Settler violence continued across multiple West Bank locations, including Faraata, Imatin, Jit, Iraq Burin, and the Masafer Yatta area. CNN footage from Faraata showed settlers burning homes, vehicles, and businesses. In one area, settlers sprayed “revenge” on walls and uprooted an olive field using two bulldozers. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported eight injuries from the Faraata attack, with six hospitalized for gunshot wounds.
Following the Tell incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the military to accelerate the establishment of new settlement outposts and the legalization of existing ones. West Bank settlements remain considered illegal under international law and by most of the international community, though Israel disputes this classification. As Israel prepares major military operation measures, the region faces continued uncertainty over whether the violence will subside or intensify further.
