West Bank Shuts Down as Election Looms and Security Forces Kill Two Men

Israel has ordered a full closure of the West Bank starting Friday.

The decision follows an incident near the city of Hebron in which Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men. The military stated that the pair launched an attack on Israeli civilians. At least five other people were wounded, with some injuries described as critical. The identities of the dead and the injured have not been released.

The army reported that the two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. It did not specify the intended target of the attack. Hours after the shooting, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that security forces were instructed to cordon off Hebron immediately and prepare for a complete closure of the territory.

The incident occurred days before Israeli voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term. This election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that began the war in Gaza. The government has warned that Israel's enemies might attempt strikes before the vote.

Following the shooting, Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and leaders of the main military and security agencies. He attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. He described the troops' actions as courageous and determined but provided no specific details about the plot. 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. He stated that the lives of residents, settlers, and security forces in Judea and Samaria are far more important than freedom of movement. Emergency responders reported that five people were transported to hospitals in Israel. Tzuriel Edri of the response team said the team arrived at Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still occurring. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, and another victim was found unconscious and seriously hurt.

On Friday, the army said its soldiers worked with security and intelligence services to carry out dozens of operations across the West Bank. These operations resulted in the detention of dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns. Netanyahu had previously suggested that Hamas might try to strike Israel to influence the election result, though he offered no evidence for that claim.

This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed restrictions across the territory. These measures involve shutting gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers, who may experience delays.