Netanyahu Orders West Bank Shutoff After Hebron Ambush Kills Two Troops

Israeli security forces sealed the occupied West Bank on Friday following a firefight in Hebron that left two soldiers dead. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the territory closed after Palestinian gunmen attacked a military position near Yehuda Junction. The confrontation lasted approximately 20 minutes before troops killed both attackers.

The Israeli army reported that three additional soldiers sustained minor injuries in the exchange. The two gunmen, identified as Palestinians from Hebron, were armed with an M16 assault rifle and a handgun. Military officials stated the operation thwarted a planned assault on Israeli civilians.

Emergency responders treated five individuals, including two men in their 20s with lower-limb gunshot wounds and one unconscious person. Tzuriel Edri of the response team described the scene as difficult, noting that shooting was still active upon arrival. Authorities launched an immediate investigation into the incident.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his security cabinet and senior military officials. He attributed the attack to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major offensive to kill civilians. The Prime Minister stated that his soldiers thwarted the plot with determination. He also announced that the military would force residents out of the specific Hebron neighborhood where the gunmen originated.

The army initiated precise searches in the affected area of Hebron, an operation expected to continue for several days. Residents can only exit the zone through three designated points after undergoing security screening. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said troops found a large quantity of ammunition in a vehicle used by the attackers, indicating plans for a larger-scale strike. Security forces also conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank, arresting suspects affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The incident occurs just days before Israeli voters decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term. He warned that Hamas might attempt to strike Israel to influence the election, though he provided no specific evidence. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement by shutting gates and checkpoints. Brad Lander, a U.S. congressional candidate who was detained in the West Bank on Wednesday, called the closure part of an effort to make Palestinian life impossible. Amnesty International has described the current olive harvest season as a period of severe violence for Palestinian families.