West Bank Sealed Off Ahead of Vote

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near the city of Hebron on Friday morning. The military stated the pair launched an attack against civilians using an M16 rifle and a handgun. Five others were wounded, some critically, though authorities have not released the names of the dead or injured.

Hours after the shooting, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that security forces would cordon off Hebron immediately. The order prepared for a full closure of the entire West Bank, effective from Friday onward. This move comes just days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday. The election will determine whether Netanyahu secures another term or if the country shifts to a new political era. The vote arrives three years after the Hamas-led attacks that sparked the war in Gaza.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and heads of military and intelligence agencies following the incident. He blamed Hamas for the event, claiming the group was planning a major attack to murder innocent civilians. He praised the troops for thwarting the plot with courage and determination, although he did not provide specific details about the plan. The Prime Minister also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without clarifying if they were soldiers or civilians.

Earlier on Friday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued that the attack justified limiting Palestinian movement. He used the Israeli term for the territory, Judea and Samaria, in his remarks. Ben-Gvir stated that the lives of residents, settlers, soldiers, police, and fighters were vastly more important than freedom of movement. He did not specify how much more important, using the phrase a million times more important in his comments.

Emergency responders reported arriving at the scene near the Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described the scene as difficult. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. A third victim arrived unconscious and seriously injured. Five people in total were transported to hospitals in Israel.

The army reported that soldiers, working with security and intelligence services, conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. They detained dozens of individuals, including those linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns. An investigation into the initial shooting remains ongoing.

Netanyahu had previously warned that Hamas might strike before the election anniversary to influence the results. He offered no evidence for that specific claim. This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed restrictions across the territory. These measures typically shut gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli drivers, including settlers, can still use West Bank roads, though they may face delays.