Israel Seals West Bank for Fourth Time This Month After Fatal Hebron Shootout

Israeli soldiers opened fire and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, triggering a full closure of the West Bank just days before the national election. The army said the pair launched an attack on Israeli civilians, arming themselves with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Officials confirmed that at least five people were wounded, with some suffering critical injuries, though the identities of the victims have not been released.

The Prime Minister's office announced the cordon of Hebron and the full territorial shutdown shortly after the shooting. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such restrictions, closing gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to main roads. Israeli drivers, including settlers, can still use West Bank roads but face delays.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency Security Cabinet meeting following the incident. He blamed Hamas for the event, claiming the group was planning a major attack to kill innocent civilians. Netanyahu stated that troops thwarted the plot with courage and determination, but he did not specify what the intended target was. He also expressed hope for the wounded's recovery without clarifying if they were military or civilian.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for tighter controls on Palestinian movement. He stated that the lives of settlers, soldiers, and police are a million times more important than freedom of movement in Judea and Samaria. The far-right minister's comments reinforced the government's stance on security ahead of the vote.

Emergency responders from the response team described arriving at the scene near Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri of the team said they found a difficult scene with two men in their 20s suffering gunshot wounds to their lower legs. A third victim was unconscious and seriously hurt. Five people were transported to hospitals in Israel for treatment.

The military reported conducting dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday in coordination with intelligence services. Troops detained dozens of individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Soldiers also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns, during these raids. An official investigation into the initial shooting near Hebron remains ongoing.

The timing of the closure is sensitive for voters deciding on Tuesday whether to renew Netanyahu's term. The election occurs three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which began the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies may attempt strikes in the run-up to the election, a claim Netanyahu made without providing specific evidence.