During his visit, Netanyahu likened the operation to previous operations in Palestinian refugee camps in the north of the territory, when the Israeli military demolished hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands in 2025. It remains unclear whether the ongoing Hebron operation forms part of that broader pattern.
The operation comes during a tense period for the region, with Israel's general election taking place in four days' time. Netanyahu, who has built his campaign on the promise of security, cancelled his party's campaign events for Friday morning to head to the city.
Dozens of families were forced to spend the night outside, with some told to leave without taking their vehicles, while homes were marked for demolition with spray paint. Three other Israeli soldiers were injured in the shooting, and the gunmen were also killed.
Netanyahu also announced he had reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967, though he did not specify when it could be carried out. The Israel Defense Forces did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Footage shared online showed destruction caused by Israeli bulldozers, with at least one whole street appearing to have been flattened. The city's governor and deputy mayor stated that at least 200 families had been displaced by the actions.
Netanyahu likened the operation to previous operations in Palestinian refugee camps in the north of the territory, when the Israeli military demolished hundreds of homes and displaced tens of thousands in 2025.
Netanyahu - who has built his campaign on the promise of security - cancelled his party's campaign events for Friday morning and headed to Hebron, wearing protective armour and posting a video on social media from the scene.
He also announced he had reviewed plans for the largest military operation in the West Bank since 1967 - though did not say when it could be carried out.
The city's governor and deputy mayor meanwhile said at least 200 families had been displaced.
Friday's shooting came during a tense time for the region, with Israel's general election taking place in four days' time.