Netanyahu Orders West Bank Closure: Fourth Shutdown in a Month

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to cordon off the city of Hebron and prepare a full closure of the West Bank on Friday morning. The decision followed an incident in which Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron. The military stated that the two gunmen had launched an attack against Israeli civilians. The army reported that the pair were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Officials did not specify the intended target of the attack.

Emergency responders treated at least five people for injuries at the scene. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, said that gunfire was still ongoing when crews arrived near the Yehuda Junction. Responders transported two men in their 20s to hospitals in Israel after they sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. A third victim was unconscious and suffered serious injuries. The identities of the dead and the injured have not been released to the public.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet with leaders of military and security agencies shortly after the shooting. He attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. The prime minister said the troops thwarted the attack with courage and determination. He offered no further details regarding the specific plot or whether the wounded victims were soldiers or civilians.

The closure marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed restrictions across the West Bank. These measures typically involve shutting gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. Israeli roads within the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers and settlers, who may experience delays. The latest shutdown comes just days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday.

Voters will decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term or shift the country toward a new political era. This election occurs three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. The Israeli government has warned that enemies of the state may attempt strikes in the period leading up to the vote. Netanyahu previously stated that Hamas might try to hit Israel to influence the election result, though he provided no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir commented on the incident earlier on Friday. He argued that the attack demonstrated the need to limit Palestinian freedom of movement in the territory. Ben-Gvir used the Israeli term Judea and Samaria to refer to the region. He stated that the lives of residents, settlers, soldiers, and police officers are far more important than freedom of movement.

The Israeli army announced that its soldiers conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. These actions were carried out in coordination with Israeli security and intelligence services. Military personnel detained dozens of individuals during the sweep. Among those detained were people linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also reported seizing weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting near Hebron. The military confirmed that the two dead men were armed. The closure of the West Bank began immediately on Friday, following the directive from the prime minister's office. Security forces are currently implementing the cordon around Hebron while preparing for the full territorial shutdown.

The frequency of such closures has increased over the recent month. Each shutdown halts cross-border trade and restricts movement through key checkpoints. The latest action aligns with previous restrictions imposed in the last thirty days. The situation remains active as security forces maintain their presence in the area.