West Bank Sealed: Fourth Monthly Shutdown After Hebron Killings

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, leading Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order a full closure of the West Bank. The military stated the pair had launched an attack against civilians, wounding at least five others in the process. Identities of the dead and injured have not been released.

The army reported that troops intercepted a terror attack and found the two gunmen armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Military officials did not specify the intended target. Hours after the shooting, Netanyahu's office instructed security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare to seal the entire West Bank.

The incident occurred days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday. The election determines whether Netanyahu secures another term or if the country enters a new political phase, three years after the Hamas-led attacks began the war in Gaza. The government warned that enemies might strike before the vote to influence the outcome.

Netanyahu convened an emergency Security Cabinet meeting with top military and security leaders. He blamed Hamas for plotting a major attack aimed at killing civilians. The prime minister praised the troops for thwarting the plot with courage but provided no specific details about the plan. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without clarifying if they were soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for stricter movement restrictions for Palestinians. He stated that the lives of settlers, soldiers, and police are far more important than freedom of movement in the territory, which Israel refers to as Judea and Samaria. Ben-Gvir is a far-right figure known for holding extremist views.

Emergency responders transported five people to Israeli hospitals. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, said they arrived at the scene near Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their legs, and a third victim was unconscious and seriously injured. Authorities are conducting an investigation.

Following the shooting, Israeli soldiers and intelligence services launched dozens of operations across the West Bank. Security forces 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 restrictions across the West Bank. The closures shut gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli drivers, including settlers, can still use roads in the West Bank, though they may face delays.

Netanyahu had previously suggested that Hamas might attempt an attack to sway the election result. He made this claim ahead of the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks but offered no evidence to support it. The current closure adds to a pattern of increasing security measures in the region.

The military said the two gunmen were killed after launching their attack. The closure of the West Bank began on Friday and will affect cross-border trade and movement. Israeli officials are monitoring the situation as the election approaches on Tuesday.