Fourth Monthly Shutdown: West Bank Sealed After Hebron Fatalities

Two men died in a firefight near Hebron on Friday morning, an event that led to the fourth full closure of the West Bank in the past month.

Israeli soldiers stopped what the military described as a terror attack against civilians. The army stated that the two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Officials did not release the names of the deceased or identify the intended target of the shooting.

At least five people were wounded in the incident, with some injuries reported as critical. Emergency responders arrived at the Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, noted that they reached a difficult scene during the ongoing exchange of fire.

Hospital staff treated five patients, including two men in their 20s who sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. One additional victim was unconscious and seriously hurt. An investigation into the shooting is currently under way.

Hours after the shooting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that security forces would cordon off Hebron immediately. The Prime Minister’s office ordered a full closure of the West Bank effective Friday. This restriction shuts gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads, although Israeli drivers and settlers can still use roads within the territory, potentially facing delays.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet along with leaders of the military and security agencies. He attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack to murder innocent civilians. Netanyahu praised his troops for thwarting the plot with courage and determination, though he provided no specific details about the plan. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without clarifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

The timing of the closure falls just days before Tuesday’s election. Israeli voters will decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term or move the country into a new political era. The vote occurs three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which started the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies may attempt strikes before the election.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued that the incident proved the need to limit Palestinian movement. He stated that the lives of residents of Judea and Samaria, settlers, soldiers, and police officers are a million times more important than freedom of movement. Ben-Gvir used the Israeli term for the territory in his remarks.

On Friday, Israeli soldiers worked with security and intelligence services to carry out dozens of operations across the West Bank. Troops detained dozens of individuals, including people linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Forces also recovered weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

Netanyahu had previously suggested that Hamas might try to hit Israel to sway the election result, although he offered no evidence for that claim. The current closure marks the fourth time in the last month that Israel has imposed such restrictions across the territory.