Israel seals West Bank border after Hebron shootout

Israeli forces killed two men on Friday morning near Hebron after the military stated the pair launched an attack on civilians. The incident resulted in at least five injuries, some of them critical. Authorities have not yet released the names of the dead or the wounded.

The army described the event as a thwarted terrorist attack. It said the two gunmen carried an M16 rifle and a handgun. The military did not identify the specific target of the assault. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office ordered security forces to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare for a full closure of the West Bank starting Friday.

The shooting occurred days before Israeli voters decide on whether to re-elect Netanyahu or form a new government. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, three years after the Hamas-led attacks that began the war in Gaza. The government warned that external enemies might attempt strikes before the vote to influence the outcome.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and military leaders. He attributed the plot to Hamas, claiming the group planned a major attack to murder innocent civilians. He praised the troops for stopping the attack with courage, though he provided no details on the specific plan. He also wished the five wounded a quick recovery without confirming if they were soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for tighter restrictions on Palestinian movement. He stated that the lives of settlers and soldiers were a million times more important than freedom of movement. He used the Hebrew term for the territory, Judea and Samaria, in his comments.

Emergency responders transported five people to Israeli hospitals. Tzuriel Edri of the response team said they arrived while gunfire was still active near the Yehuda Junction. He reported that two men in their 20s had gunshot wounds to their legs and a third victim was unconscious and seriously hurt. An investigation is ongoing.

Following the shooting, soldiers and intelligence services conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank. They detained dozens of people, including those linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed territory-wide restrictions. These closures shut down gates and checkpoints connecting Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli roads remain open to drivers, including settlers, though they may experience delays.