Israel Blocks West Bank Exit After Two Killed Near Hebron

Israel began closing the West Bank on Friday following a shooting incident near Hebron that killed two men. The Prime Minister’s office ordered security forces to cordon off the city and prepare a full shutdown of the territory. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement across the region. The closures shut gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads.

Israeli soldiers engaged the two men on Friday morning near Yehuda Junction. The military stated the pair launched an attack against civilians. Troops reported the gunmen carried an M16 rifle and a handgun. The army did not specify the intended target of the assault. Emergency responders said five people were transported to hospitals in Israel. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. A third victim was unconscious and seriously injured.

Tzuriel Edri of the emergency response team described the scene as difficult. He noted that gunfire was still active when responders arrived. Authorities have not released the names of the dead or the injured. An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The military said the troops stopped a terror attack with courage and determination.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet. He included leaders from main military and security agencies in the session. Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the incident. He claimed the group was planning a major attack to kill innocent civilians. He offered no specific details about the plot. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without identifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

The incident occurred days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday. The election will determine whether Netanyahu secures another term. This vote takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that began the war in Gaza. The government warned that enemies might try to strike before the election. Netanyahu had previously suggested Hamas might target Israel to sway the results, though he provided no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the event to argue for stricter movement limits. He stated that the lives of settlers, soldiers, and police are far more important than Palestinian freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term Judea and Samaria to describe the territory. The ministry’s position aligns with the immediate closure order issued by the Prime Minister’s office.

On Friday, Israeli soldiers conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank. They worked with intelligence services to detain dozens of individuals. Some detainees were linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns. Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers and settlers, though delays are possible.