Hebron Ambush: Two Soldiers Dead as Israel Seals West Bank Ahead of Vote

Two Israeli soldiers died on Friday after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a military position near Hebron. The attack, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, also killed the two attackers and left three other soldiers lightly wounded. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the entire West Bank closed off to movement.

The Israeli army stated that the shooting occurred near the Yehuda Junction, outside the city of Hebron. The military identified the two suspects as Palestinians from Hebron who were armed with an M16 assault rifle and a handgun. According to the army, the men reached the Israeli military position in the morning, triggering the exchange of fire that ended when troops killed both gunmen.

Emergency responders reported that five people were injured during the incident. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while one person was transported to a hospital in Israel unconscious and seriously hurt. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described the scene as difficult, noting that his team arrived while shooting was still taking place in the area. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the attack is underway.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his security cabinet and senior military officials. His office announced that security forces were instructed to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare to close the entire West Bank. The Prime Minister blamed Hamas for the incident, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians, though he did not provide specific details on that plan. He stated that his soldiers thwarted the attack with courage and determination.

Later on Friday, the army began precise and targeted searches in the part of Hebron where the gunmen operated. The operation is expected to continue for several days. Residents of the affected area are permitted to leave only through three designated exit points after undergoing questioning and security screening. The military also announced it had started demolishing infrastructure it deemed a threat. Eyal Zamir, the army chief of staff, said a large quantity of ammunition was found in a vehicle used by the attackers, which he said was intended for a larger-scale attack.

Israeli forces and security agencies conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. These actions resulted in the arrest of dozens of people, including individuals affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Security forces also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

The violence occurs just days before Israeli voters decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term next Tuesday. Ahead of the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, Netanyahu suggested Hamas might strike to influence the election, though he offered no evidence to support that claim. This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement in the West Bank by shutting gates and checkpoints linking Palestinian villages to main roads.

Netanyahu stated that the military would force Palestinians out of the Hebron neighborhood from which the attackers came, comparing the approach to Israel's assaults on two Palestinian refugee camps in 2025. Human Rights Watch has described such expulsions as war crimes, a characterization Israel rejects. Brad Lander, a U.S. congressional candidate who was detained by Israeli forces on Wednesday, called the closure an effort to make Palestinian life impossible. Amnesty International has also noted a surge in settler violence during this year's olive harvest, labeling it a season of horror for Palestinian families.