Netanyahu Orders West Bank Lockdown After Deadly Clashes

Netanyahu confirmed the directive after an emergency session with his security cabinet, blaming Hamas for orchestrating a planned attack against civilians. While the Prime Minister cited the discovery of weapons and ammunition, he provided no specific evidence regarding the alleged plot. The military response appears poised to expand, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocating for a comprehensive operation similar to those in Gaza and Lebanon.

Smotrich further called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority and the immediate demolition of homes near the site of the incident. Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, condemned the lockdown as a move toward ethnic cleansing. Analysts like Yariv Oppenheimer suggest the government is leveraging the current instability to intensify its control, warning that the combination of curfews, house demolitions, and increased settler activity will likely trigger further escalation across the region.