Israel prepares large-scale West Bank operation after deadly shooting UPDATED

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to demolish the home of the militant accused of killing an Israeli in a shooting attack in the occupied West Bank, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

The directive was issued following consultations with members of Israel's security cabinet and senior defence officials in response to the attack, which took place on Friday.

According to the statement, the government also ordered the military to intensify operations in villages it describes as centres of terrorist activity. The measures include confiscating weapons, revoking work permits and reinforcing IDF deployments across the territory.

"Netanyahu and Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to demolish the home of the militant responsible for today's attack, operate with force in villages that serve as centres of terrorist activity, including the confiscation of weapons, the revocation of work permits and other measures, and reinforce military units throughout Judea and Samaria," the statement said, using the Israeli term for the occupied West Bank.

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The Israeli military is preparing a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the occupied West Bank after deadly clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians near the Havat Gilad outpost, close to Nablus, left casualties on both sides.

According to Israeli media, the confrontation escalated into a shooting during which one Israeli was killed and two others were wounded. The Israeli victim was identified as Benayahu Mellet, a member of the Havat Gilad civilian security squad. Palestinian health authorities reported that four Palestinians were killed and four others injured.

Israeli authorities described the incident as a terrorist attack. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said armed assailants seized a weapon from a security officer who had arrived at the scene before opening fire on Israeli civilians.

Palestinian officials have not immediately issued a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Following the incident, the IDF said it had cancelled weekend leave for troops serving in the West Bank and was preparing for an expanded security operation in the territory. Additional military units have been deployed, roads around the scene have been closed, and access to and from Nablus has been restricted.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with senior military and security officials to assess the situation.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Israel to extend full control over the surrounding area, saying nearby Palestinian villages should "look like Khan Younis" and arguing that tighter Israeli control was necessary to prevent further attacks.

By Aghakazim Guliyev