West Bank sealed off after Hebron shootout

Residents of the West Bank woke to a familiar disruption on Friday as Israeli security forces sealed the territory's borders for the fourth time in the past month. The shutdown began hours after soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron, an event that has now paused daily commutes and trade in the occupied region just days before the country's national election.

The military stated that its troops intercepted a "terror attack against Israeli civilians" during the early morning hours. According to the army, the two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. The soldiers engaged the pair after the alleged attack commenced, resulting in the deaths of both men. The military did not specify the intended target of the assault, nor did it release the identities of the deceased.

Emergency responders reported that at least five individuals sustained injuries in the incident. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described arriving at the scene near the Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Paramedics transported five people to hospitals in Israel. Among the wounded were two men in their 20s who suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, and another victim who arrived unconscious and seriously hurt. Authorities have not yet determined whether the injured were soldiers or civilians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet following the shooting. He was joined by the leaders of the main military and security agencies. Netanyahu attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was "planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians." He praised the troops for "thwarting this attack with courage and determination," although he provided no specific details about the plot. The prime minister also wished the wounded a speedy recovery.

The timing of the closure places it in direct proximity to Tuesday's election. Voters are set to decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term or shift the country toward a new political direction. This vote occurs three years after the Hamas-led attacks that initiated the war in Gaza. The government has warned that the country's "enemies" may attempt to strike in the period leading up to the ballot count.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to reinforce his stance on Palestinian movement. Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure, argued that the attack demonstrated the necessity of limiting freedom of movement in the West Bank. "The lives of the residents of Judea and Samaria, of the settlers, the lives of the soldiers, the lives of the police officers, the lives of our fighters are a million times more important than freedom of movement," he stated, utilizing the Israeli term for the territory.

Following the initial shooting, the prime minister's office directed security forces to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare for a full closure of the entire West Bank. This restriction involves shutting gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. While Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers and settlers, those individuals may experience delays due to the heightened security presence.

On Friday, the army reported that its soldiers, in coordination with Israeli security and intelligence services, conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank. These actions resulted in the detention of dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also discovered weapons such as M16 rifles and submachine guns during these sweeps. An investigation into the Hebron shooting remains ongoing.

Netanyahu had previously suggested ahead of the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that Hamas might try to hit Israel to influence the election result. He offered no evidence for that specific claim at the time. The current closure marks the fourth instance in the last 30 days that Israel has imposed such restrictions across the territory.