Two killed near Hebron trigger fourth West Bank closure in one month

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning. The military stated that the two men were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Officials said the pair had launched an attack against Israeli civilians. At least five others were wounded, with some in critical condition. The identities of the dead and injured have not been released.

A few hours after the shooting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to cordon off Hebron immediately. He also directed the preparation of a full closure of the West Bank. The shutdown began on Friday. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such restrictions. The measures shut gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli drivers, including settlers, can still use the roads but may face delays.

The incident occurred days before Israeli voters go to the polls on Tuesday. They will decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term or move the country into a new political era. The election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that started the war in Gaza. The government warned that enemies might try to strike before the vote. Netanyahu had previously suggested Hamas could target Israel to influence the election results, though he offered no evidence for that claim.

Following the shooting, Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet. He met with leaders from the main military and security agencies. He blamed Hamas for the incident. He claimed the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. Netanyahu praised the troops for thwarting the attack with courage and determination. He did not provide details on the specific plot. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without specifying if they were soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke earlier in the day. He argued that the attack proved Israel must limit Palestinian freedom of movement in the West Bank. He used the Israeli term for the territory, Judea and Samaria. Ben-Gvir stated that the lives of residents, settlers, soldiers, and police officers were a million times more important than freedom of movement.

Emergency responders reported that five people were transported to hospitals in Israel. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, said they arrived at a difficult scene while gunfire was still active. The location was near Yehuda Junction. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. Another victim was unconscious and seriously injured. Authorities said an investigation is ongoing.

The army reported that its soldiers, working with Israeli security and intelligence services, carried out dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. They detained dozens of people. Among those detained were individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also found weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

The military did not state the intended target of the shooting. It described the event as a terror attack against Israeli civilians. The fourth monthly closure underscores the increasing frequency of such shutdowns. Palestinian traffic is halted, while Israeli traffic continues with potential delays. The next step is the Tuesday vote, which will determine the country's political direction.