West Bank sealed as election nears after deadly clash in Hebron

Israeli forces sealed off the West Bank on Friday following a shooting incident near Hebron that left two men dead and five others injured.

The military stated that its troops intercepted a terror attack against Israeli civilians. The two gunmen were reportedly armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun, though the army did not specify the intended target. At least five people were wounded, with some injuries described as critical. The identities of the dead and injured have not been released. Emergency responders reported that gunfire was still active when they arrived at the scene near Yehuda Junction. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, said, "We arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still taking place in the area." Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while a third victim was found unconscious and seriously hurt.

Hours after the shooting, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare for a full closure of the West Bank. This restriction, which began immediately, marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such measures. The closures involve shutting gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. While Israeli roads remain open to drivers and settlers, the process has become more frequent in recent weeks.

The incident occurred just days before Israeli voters go to the polls on Tuesday. The election will determine whether Netanyahu secures another term or if the country shifts into a new political era. This vote takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that triggered the war in Gaza. The government had cautioned that Israel's enemies might attempt strikes in the lead-up to the election. Netanyahu had previously suggested Hamas might target Israel to influence the result, although he provided no evidence for that claim.

Following the shooting, Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet and heads of military and security agencies. He attributed the plot to Hamas, stating the group was planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians. He described the troops' actions as courageous and determined, though he offered few details on the specific plan. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without clarifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for stricter limits on Palestinian movement in the West Bank. He stated, "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." Meanwhile, the army reported carrying out dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. Working with intelligence services, soldiers detained dozens of people linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. They also seized weapons including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

An official investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The military confirmed that the two men killed were the primary gunmen involved in the attack.