West Bank Closure Follows Hebron Shootings

Residents of the West Bank faced immediate travel restrictions on Friday as Israeli security forces ordered a full closure of the territory. The move came hours after Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near the city of Hebron. The closure shuts gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads, while Israeli roads remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers, who may experience delays. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such restrictions across the area.

The conflict began on Friday morning when troops intercepted what the army described as a terror attack against Israeli civilians. The two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. At least five people were wounded in the incident, with some injuries reported as critical. Emergency responders transported five individuals to hospitals in Israel. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, stated that his team arrived at the scene near Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while another victim was found unconscious and seriously hurt. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the dead or the injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and leaders of military and security agencies following the incident. He attributed the plot to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack to murder innocent civilians. Netanyahu 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 the wounded to recover quickly without specifying whether they were soldiers or civilians. The army did not disclose the intended target of the gunmen.

The shooting occurred just days before Israeli voters decide on Tuesday whether to grant Netanyahu another term. The vote takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies may attempt strikes before the election. Netanyahu had previously suggested Hamas might target Israel to sway the election result, although he offered no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for tighter control over Palestinian movement. He stated that the lives of residents in Judea and Samaria, settlers, soldiers, police, and fighters are a million times more important than freedom of movement. This terminology reflects the far-right political stance associated with Ben-Gvir. His comments followed the military's announcement of dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. Working with security and intelligence services, troops detained dozens of people, including those linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Soldiers also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

The investigation into the Hebron incident remains ongoing. The military's decision to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare a full West Bank closure highlights the security concerns surrounding the upcoming election. While the identities of the victims are not public, the scale of the response indicates a high level of alert among Israeli security forces. The closure affects the daily movement of Palestinians in the occupied territory, adding to the logistical challenges faced by residents and businesses.