Two soldiers killed in Hebron as Israel shuts West Bank again
Netanyahu ordered a full territory closure after a 20-minute firefight, marking the fourth such shutdown in the past month ahead of Tuesday's election.
By Tunde Bailey ·
A 20-minute exchange of fire near Hebron left two Israeli soldiers dead and triggered a full shutdown of the West Bank on Friday. The Israeli army stated that two Palestinian gunmen attacked a military position near Yehuda Junction. Both attackers died in the clash, while three other soldiers sustained light injuries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security cabinet meeting to respond to the incident. His office ordered forces to cordon off Hebron immediately and close the entire territory. Netanyahu attributed the attack to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major assault on civilians, though he provided no specific details on that plan. He described the soldiers' actions as courageous and determined to thwart the threat.
Emergency responders treated five injured individuals at hospitals in Israel. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, while one person was unconscious and seriously hurt. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, noted that crews arrived while shooting was still active in the area. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The military began precise searches in the specific area of Hebron where the gunmen operated. This operation is expected to last several days. Residents can only leave the zone through three designated points after undergoing questioning and security screening. The army also started demolishing infrastructure it deemed a threat. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reported finding a large quantity of ammunition in a vehicle used by the attackers, which he said was intended for a larger-scale attack.
Security forces conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. They arrested dozens of people, including members affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Officers seized weapons including M16 rifles and submachine guns. This closure marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement by shutting gates and checkpoints.
The violence occurs just before Israeli voters decide on Tuesday whether to grant Netanyahu another term. The date is also near the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack. Netanyahu suggested Hamas might strike to influence the election, although he offered no evidence for this claim. He stated that the military would force Palestinians out of the neighborhood where the attackers came from. This approach mirrors Israel's 2025 assaults on two refugee camps.
Human Rights Watch has described such expulsions as war crimes, a characterization Israel rejects. Brad Lander, a U.S. congressional candidate who was in the West Bank on Friday, called the closure an effort to make Palestinian life impossible. He was detained by Israeli forces on Wednesday. Amnesty International has also noted a surge in settler violence during the current olive harvest, describing it as a season of horror for families.
