Netanyahu Seals West Bank Borders After Hebron Shootout

Israeli military forces killed two men in Hebron on Friday morning, triggering an immediate and total blockade of the West Bank.

The confrontation began near Yehuda Junction when troops intercepted what the army described as an attack by two gunmen armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. The soldiers stopped the pair, killing both, and reported that at least five other individuals sustained injuries, some of them critical. Emergency responders stated they arrived at the scene while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described the conditions as difficult. The five wounded were transported to hospitals in Israel, including two men in their 20s who suffered gunshot wounds to their lower legs and one unconscious victim.

Hours after the shooting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that security forces would cordon off Hebron and prepare a full closure of the territory. This marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has shut down gates and checkpoints linking Palestinian villages to major roads. While Palestinian movement is restricted, Israeli roads within the West Bank remain open to drivers and settlers, though they may face delays. The closure halts cross-border trade as voters prepare for a decisive election on Tuesday.

The timeline of events intensified the political stakes surrounding the vote. The shooting occurred just days before Israelis choose between extending Netanyahu’s term or moving into a new political era. This election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023, which initiated the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies might strike in the final days before voting. Netanyahu convened an emergency Security Cabinet meeting with military and security agency leaders to address the incident.

During the meeting, Netanyahu attributed the plot to Hamas, claiming the group planned a major attack to kill innocent civilians. He praised the troops for thwarting the attack with courage and determination, though he did not provide specific details on the plot’s scope or the intended target. He also expressed a wish for the wounded to recover quickly without specifying whether they were soldiers or civilians. Ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, Netanyahu had suggested Hamas might try to influence the election result, a claim for which he offered no evidence.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to advocate for stricter controls on Palestinian movement. He argued that the attack proved the necessity of limiting mobility in the West Bank. Ben-Gvir stated that the lives of residents in Judea and Samaria, settlers, soldiers, and police officers are vastly more important than freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term for the territory to emphasize his point about security priorities over logistical convenience for Palestinians.

Following the initial engagement, Israeli soldiers worked with security and intelligence services to conduct dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. These raids resulted in the detention of dozens of individuals, including people linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops reported seizing weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns. Authorities confirmed that an investigation into the shooting and the broader security situation remains ongoing.

The closure stands as the latest in a series of restrictions imposed in October. Each shutdown has halted economic activity at border crossings while maintaining access for Israeli traffic. The current order remains in effect as the country moves toward its Tuesday vote.