'Very big surprise': Netanyahu hints at major West Bank operation after IDF soldiers killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a “big surprise” for the Palestinian Authority (PA), a day after two Israeli soldiers were killed in a Palestinian gun attack in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron.In an interview with i24 News late Friday, Netanyahu suggested that Israel could launch a major military operation against the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank in coordination with Israel under agreements reached in the 1990s.“I will act to neutralize that threat by means I think are better left unspecified right now,” Netanyahu said when asked whether he supported calls to dismantle the PA.“There is a very big surprise for the Palestinian Authority as well,” he added.Netanyahu's remarks came after he said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had prepared plans for a large-scale operation in the West Bank, which Israel refers to as Judea and Samaria.“The IDF is ready to carry it out, and we will determine the timing, but it is on its way,” he said on Friday, describing the proposed campaign as unprecedented in scale since the Six-Day War.The Israeli prime minister also referred to Israel's military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran, claiming that his government had reshaped the region.“We transformed the Middle East. I said that we would change things and we have,” Netanyahu said.Meanwhile, Israeli forces imposed widespread restrictions across Hebron on Saturday following the attack that killed two soldiers. All gates leading into and out of the city were reportedly closed to vehicles, forcing Palestinians to cross on foot.Israeli troops also ordered residents to leave their homes in parts of the city. According to Hebron's municipality, up to 300 families left Deir Baha and two neighbouring areas as Israeli forces expanded their operations.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.