Israel seals West Bank for fourth time after Hebron shootout

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a complete closure of the West Bank on Friday following a shootout near Hebron in which soldiers killed two men. The government announced the move hours after the engagement, directing security forces to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare to shut all gates and checkpoints linking Palestinian areas to major roads. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such restrictions on the territory.

The Israeli military stated that troops stopped a terror attack against civilians. Soldiers reported that the two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. The army did not specify the intended target of the attack. Five people were wounded in the incident, with some listed in critical condition. Their identities have not been released. Emergency responders transported the injured to hospitals in Israel.

Tzuriel Edri, a member of the emergency response team, described the scene near the Yehuda Junction as difficult because gunfire was still occurring upon their arrival. He noted that two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while a third victim was unconscious and seriously hurt. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet and leaders of military and security agencies. He attributed the incident to Hamas, stating that the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. The prime minister praised the troops for thwarting the attack with courage and determination, though he provided no specific details about the plot. He also expressed wishes for a speedy recovery for the wounded without clarifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

The shooting occurred just days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term or shift the country into a new political era. This election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies of Israel may attempt to strike during the pre-election period. Netanyahu had previously suggested that Hamas might target Israel to influence the voting outcome, although he offered no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for limiting Palestinian freedom of movement. He stated that the lives of residents in Judea and Samaria, settlers, soldiers, and police officers are a million times more important than freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term for the territory in his remarks.

On Friday, Israeli soldiers working with security and intelligence services conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank. They detained dozens of individuals, including people linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns. Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to drivers, including settlers, who may experience delays.