West Bank Sealed for Fourth Time

Israel ordered a full closure of the West Bank on Friday, its fourth such shutdown in the past month, after troops killed two men near Hebron. The military said the pair launched an attack against Israeli civilians, prompting the Prime Minister's office to direct security forces to cordon off Hebron immediately. Gates and checkpoints linking Palestinian villages to major roads are shut, while Israeli drivers remain permitted to pass, albeit with delays.

The incident began in the morning near the Yehuda Junction. The army stated that the two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. At least five people were wounded in the exchange, some critically. Emergency responders arrived while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri of the response team described the scene as difficult. Five victims were transported to hospitals in Israel, including two men in their 20s with leg wounds and one unconscious person. Identities of the dead and injured have not been released.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency Security Cabinet meeting with military and security agency leaders. He claimed Hamas was planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians. Netanyahu praised the troops for thwarting the plot with courage and determination, though he provided no specific details on the planned strike. He also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without specifying their status as soldiers or civilians.

The closure comes just days before Israeli voters decide on Tuesday whether to re-elect Netanyahu or shift the country's political direction. The vote occurs three years after the Hamas-led attacks that started the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies might strike before the election. Netanyahu had previously suggested Hamas could target Israel to sway the result, a claim he offered no evidence to support.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for tighter restrictions on Palestinian movement. He stated that the lives of residents of Judea and Samaria, settlers, soldiers, and police are a million times more important than freedom of movement. This comment aligns with his far-right stance on the territory.

On Friday, Israeli soldiers, working with security and intelligence services, conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank. Detainees included individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops seized weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns. An investigation into the fatal shootout is ongoing.

This is the fourth time in 30 days that Israel has imposed territory-wide restrictions. Previous closures also halted trade and movement across the same gates and checkpoints.