Israel closes West Bank after Hebron shooting wounds five
Two gunmen killed near Hebron as Israel imposes full West Bank closure days before national elections.
KEY POINTS
- Two gunmen killed near Hebron after opening fire at Yehuda crossing
- Five Israelis wounded, two critically
- Netanyahu orders full West Bank closure and siege of Hebron
- Army conducts operations in attackers' homes and other suspect locations
- Closure comes four days before national elections
Israeli forces shot and killed two gunmen near Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Friday morning after the men opened fire at the Yehuda crossing. At least five Israelis were wounded, including two in critical condition, one moderately and two lightly. Emergency service Magen David Adom treated the victims at the scene and transferred all five to hospitals in Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet and ordered the army to seal off Hebron and prepare for a total closure of the West Bank. The defense minister, army chief of staff, Shin Bet director, national security adviser and Central Command commander attended the assessment meeting.
“We will pursue the Hamas terrorists and those who send them: in any place and at any time. They have nowhere to hide.”
Netanyahu said the military and security forces would immediately surround Hebron and prepare for a full closure of Judea and Samaria, the biblical names Israel uses for the occupied territory. He added that Hamas terrorists and those who send them would be pursued anywhere and at any time.
The army said soldiers and Border Police launched offensive operations in Hebron and other West Bank areas, operating in the homes of the attackers and other suspects. The exact scope and duration of the closure were not specified.
The shooting occurred four days before Israelis vote on whether to grant Netanyahu another term. Arab political parties have asked the Supreme Court to ban armed election observers at polling stations, citing public safety and a free and fair vote.
Separately, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least one person while Palestinians reported bread shortages in the enclave. Arab parties said they could prove decisive in the upcoming election, the first since Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack.
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