Fourth West Bank closure in 30 days follows Hebron shooting

Israeli forces killed two men near the city of Hebron on Friday morning, triggering the fourth full closure of the West Bank within the past month. The military stated that the two men had launched an attack against Israeli civilians, resulting in at least five people being wounded. The identities of the deceased and the injured have not been released to the public.

The army reported that the two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. It did not specify the intended target of the assault. Hours after the incident, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that security forces were to cordon off Hebron immediately. The order also mandated a full closure of the entire West Bank territory, effective from Friday onward.

The shooting occurred just days before Israeli voters go to the polls on Tuesday. The election will determine whether Netanyahu retains his term or if the country shifts to a new political administration. This vote takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 that initiated the war in Gaza. The government has warned that adversaries may attempt strikes in the lead-up to the vote.

Following the incident, Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet, including leaders of the main military and security agencies. He attributed the plot to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. He praised the troops for thwarting the attack with courage and determination, though he provided no specific details on the plot's scope. He also expressed wishes for a speedy recovery for the wounded without clarifying their status as soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir addressed the incident earlier in the day. The far-right minister argued that the event proved Israel must restrict Palestinian freedom of movement. He stated that the lives of residents in Judea and Samaria, settlers, soldiers, and police officers are a million times more important than freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term for the territory in his remarks.

Emergency responders reported that five people were transported to hospitals in Israel. They described the scene near the Yehuda Junction as difficult, noting that gunfire was still active when they arrived. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. A third victim was found unconscious and seriously injured. Tzuriel Edri of the response team said the team arrived while shooting was still taking place in the area. Authorities confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.

On Friday, the army conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank in coordination with Israeli security and intelligence services. Troops detained dozens of individuals, including those linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Forces also reported finding weapons, such as M16 rifles and submachine guns, during these sweeps.

Netanyahu had previously stated that Hamas might attempt to strike Israel around the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attack to influence the election result. He offered no evidence for this assertion. Such closures are becoming more frequent, with this being the fourth restriction imposed in the last month. These measures shut down gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli roads within the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers, who may experience delays.

The next scheduled major event is the general election on Tuesday. Voters will cast ballots to select the country's leadership. The closure of the West Bank will remain in effect until further notice from security forces.