Netanyahu Orders Full West Bank Closure After Hebron Firefight
Two soldiers were killed and two attackers died in a 20-minute exchange near Hebron, prompting Israel to seal the territory ahead of Tuesday’s elections.
By Kwame Silva ·
Israel has sealed off the West Bank for the fourth time in the past month, a move ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a fatal attack near Hebron on Friday. The closure comes as Israeli voters prepare to decide whether to extend Netanyahu’s term next Tuesday.
The Israeli army confirmed that two soldiers were killed and three others lightly wounded in a shooting near Yehuda Junction outside Hebron. The military stated that two Palestinian gunmen, armed with an M16 assault rifle and a handgun, approached an Israeli position in the morning. An exchange of fire lasted approximately 20 minutes before troops killed both attackers.
Emergency responders reported five people injured, with some in critical condition. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, noted that they arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still ongoing. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while one other individual was unconscious and seriously hurt. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Netanyahu convened an emergency security cabinet meeting and directed forces to cordon off Hebron immediately. His office stated that the entire West Bank would be closed starting Friday. The Prime Minister blamed Hamas for the incident, claiming the group was planning a major attack on civilians, though he provided no specific details on the plan. He described his soldiers as having thwarted the attack with courage.
The army has begun targeted searches in the specific area of Hebron where the gunmen operated. This operation is expected to last several days, and residents can only leave through three designated points after security screening. Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said a large quantity of ammunition was found in a vehicle used by the attackers, indicating a larger-scale attack was intended. Israeli forces also conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank, arresting dozens of people and seizing weapons.
The timing of the closure aligns with the upcoming elections. Netanyahu suggested Hamas might attempt to strike Israel to influence the vote, a claim he made without presenting evidence. He stated that the military would force Palestinians out of the Hebron neighborhood associated with the attackers, a tactic similar to Israel’s actions in two refugee camps in 2025. Human Rights Watch has described such expulsions as war crimes, a characterization Israel rejects.
The closure adds to a period of heightened tension in the region. Amnesty International has called this year’s olive harvest season a time of horror for Palestinian families due to a surge in settler violence. U.S. congressional candidate Brad Lander, who was detained by Israeli forces on Wednesday, described the current measures as an effort to make Palestinian life impossible.
