Netanyahu Orders Wide-Scale West Bank Operation After Deadly Clashes

A deadly encounter near the village of Tell on July 24, 2026, triggered a wide-scale military offensive and a wave of settler violence across the West Bank. The incident left four Palestinians and two Israelis dead, including soldier Yuval Ezra and settler Benayahu Mellet. Conflicting reports describe the catalyst: the Israel Defense Forces claim Palestinians attacked hikers and seized a weapon to open fire, while Palestinian officials and witnesses allege Israeli settlers stormed the village to vandalize property, prompting residents to defend themselves.

Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz responded by ordering a major counter-terrorism operation and the demolition of an attacker's home. The military redeployed five battalions, cancelled soldier leave, and conducted raids across Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Qalqilya, and Tulkarem. In Tell alone, forces raided approximately 70 homes and detained dozens of residents. Concurrent with military action, Netanyahu ordered the establishment of new settler outposts and the accelerated legalization of illegal farming outposts.

Parallel to the military crackdown, settler militias launched reprisal attacks in villages such as Jit, Sura, and Far’ata, torching homes and olive groves. In Nablus, Israeli forces stormed the Nablus Specialised Hospital, leading Doctors Without Borders to denounce the targeting of healthcare facilities. International reactions included calls for de-escalation from the European Union and a demand for an arms embargo from UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who characterized the settler attacks as pogroms.