Fourth West Bank Shutdown Follows Hebron Killings

Israeli military forces sealed the borders of the occupied West Bank on Friday morning, marking the fourth full closure of the territory in the past month. The shutdown was ordered hours after soldiers killed two men near the city of Hebron following an alleged attack on civilians. At least five people were wounded in the incident, with some sustaining critical injuries, though officials have not yet released the identities of the dead or the injured.

The army stated that its troops stopped a terror attack and identified the two gunmen as carrying an M16 rifle and a handgun. The military did not specify the intended target of the shooting. Following the engagement, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that security forces were instructed to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare for a full blockade of the West Bank. This move comes just days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday to determine whether Netanyahu retains his term.

Netanyahu convened an emergency session of the Security Cabinet alongside leaders of major military and intelligence agencies. He attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. The prime minister praised the troops for thwarting the plot with courage and determination, although he provided few details on the specific plan. He also sent wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded without clarifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

Emergency responders from the response team described a chaotic scene at the Yehuda Junction, where gunfire was still active when they arrived. Tzuriel Edri of the team noted the difficulty of the operation, stating they reached the area while shooting continued. Medics treated two men in their 20s for gunshot wounds to their lower limbs and found another victim unconscious and seriously hurt. Five people in total were transported to hospitals in Israel for treatment.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for tighter restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank. The far-right minister stated that the lives of residents in Judea and Samaria, including settlers, soldiers, and police, were vastly more important than the freedom of movement for Palestinians. He used the official Israeli term for the territory in his comments, reinforcing his stance on limiting Palestinian access to roads and checkpoints.

In the immediate aftermath of the killings, Israeli soldiers, working with security and intelligence services, conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank. These raids resulted in the detention of dozens of individuals, including those linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops reported seizing weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns, during the sweep. The government has cautioned that enemies may attempt strikes in the run-up to the election, a risk Netanyahu highlighted ahead of the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks.

The current closure shuts gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads, while Israeli roads within the West Bank remain open to drivers, including settlers who may face delays. This is the fourth time in thirty days that Israel has imposed such restrictions. The vote on Tuesday will decide the country's political direction three years after the Hamas-led attacks that triggered the war in Gaza.