West Bank Gates Shut After Hebron Shooting

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, and hours later Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to cordon off the city and prepare a full closure of the West Bank. The military said it stopped an attack against Israeli civilians; at least five people were wounded, some critically. The identities of the dead and injured have not been released.

The army said the two men were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. It did not identify an intended target. Emergency responders reported gunfire still under way when they reached the scene near Yehuda Junction. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to the lower limbs, and another victim was unconscious and seriously hurt. "We arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still taking place in the area," said Tzuriel Edri of the response team. Authorities said an investigation was ongoing.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet with military and security agency leaders after the shooting. He blamed Hamas, saying the group was "planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians," and praised troops who "thwarted this attack with courage and determination." He gave no details on the alleged plot. Earlier Friday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued the incident showed why Palestinian movement in the territory must be limited, saying the lives of settlers, soldiers, police and fighters are "a million times more important than freedom of movement."

The shooting came ahead of Tuesday's vote on whether to grant Netanyahu another term. The government has cautioned that "enemies" may strike in the run-up to the election, and Netanyahu said before the Oct. 7, 2023 anniversary that Hamas might attempt a strike to influence the result, without offering evidence. The closure is the fourth imposed across the territory in the past month, shutting gates and checkpoints that link Palestinian villages to main roads. Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers, who may face delays.

On Friday the army, working with Israeli security and intelligence services, carried out dozens of operations across the West Bank and detained dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops reported recovering weapons including M16 rifles and submachine guns. Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers, who may face delays at checkpoints.

The West Bank closure takes effect Friday. Israeli voters go to the polls on Tuesday.