Netanyahu Orders West Bank Sealed After Hebron Killings

Israeli soldiers killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning after intercepting an attack, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order a full closure of the West Bank. The military stated that troops stopped a "terror attack against Israeli civilians" after the two gunmen, armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun, launched the assault. The army did not specify the intended target of the operation. At least five people were wounded in the incident, with some injuries described as critical.

Emergency responders reported that five individuals were transported to hospitals in Israel. Tzuriel Edri of the response team said the team arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still active near the Yehuda Junction. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while another victim was found unconscious and seriously injured. The identities of the dead and the injured have not been released to the public.

Hours after the shooting, the office of Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that security forces were instructed to cordon off Hebron immediately. The order prepared for a full closure of the entire West Bank, which began Friday. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed restrictions across the territory, shutting gates and checkpoints that link Palestinian villages to major roads.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet and leaders of the main military and security agencies. He blamed Hamas, claiming the group was "planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians." The Prime Minister praised the troops for "thwarting this attack with courage and determination," though he provided no specific details on the plot. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without clarifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

The incident occurred just days before Israeli voters decide on Tuesday whether to grant Netanyahu another term. The election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that initiated the war in Gaza. The government has cautioned that the country's "enemies" may attempt strikes in the run-up to the election. Netanyahu had previously stated that Hamas might try to hit Israel to sway the election result, although he offered no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued earlier in the day that the attack proved Israel must limit Palestinians' freedom of movement in the West Bank. Using the Israeli term for the territory, he said, "The lives of the residents of Judea and Samaria, of the settlers, the lives of the soldiers, the lives of the police officers, the lives of our fighters are a million times more important than freedom of movement."

The army reported that its soldiers, working with Israeli security and intelligence services, carried out dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. Troops detained dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Military forces also reported finding weapons such as M16 rifles and submachine guns during these operations.

Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers, who may face delays. An investigation into the shooting near Hebron is ongoing.

The closure halts cross-border trade ahead of the Tuesday vote, a period marked by heightened security measures and frequent restrictions on movement in the occupied territory.