Fourth West Bank Closure in 30 Days Halts Movement After Hebron Shootout

Four times in the past 30 days, Israeli security forces have sealed the gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads in the West Bank. The most recent closure took effect on Friday following a shooting incident near the city of Hebron that left two men dead and at least five others wounded. The frequency of these restrictions has increased as Israeli voters prepare to decide on Tuesday whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will remain in office.

Israeli soldiers shot the two men on Friday morning after the military reported the pair had launched an attack. The army stated that the gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. Military officials did not specify the intended target of the attack. At least five people were injured, with some reported in critical condition. Emergency responders transported the victims to hospitals in Israel. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased or the injured.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the full closure of the West Bank a few hours after the shooting. He convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and leaders from the main military and security agencies. During the meeting, Netanyahu attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. He stated that the troops thwarted the plot with courage and determination but provided no specific details about the planned operation.

The timing of the closure falls days before the general election, which takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. Those attacks initiated the war in Gaza. The Israeli government has cautioned that enemies may attempt to strike in the lead-up to the vote. Netanyahu had previously suggested that Hamas might target Israel to influence the election result, though he did not provide evidence for that assessment.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to advocate for stricter limits on Palestinian movement. He described the attack as proof that Israel must prioritize the safety of residents in Judea and Samaria. Ben-Gvir stated that the lives of settlers, soldiers, and police officers are a million times more important than freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term for the territory in his remarks.

Emergency responder Tzuriel Edri described the scene at the Yehuda Junction as difficult because gunfire was still ongoing when the team arrived. The responders found two men in their 20s with gunshot wounds to their lower limbs and another victim who was unconscious and seriously hurt. An investigation into the shooting remains in progress.

In addition to the closure, Israeli soldiers conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday in coordination with security and intelligence services. These operations resulted in the detention of dozens of individuals, including those linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also recovered weapons, including M16 rifles and submachine guns, during the sweeps.

The closure restricts movement for Palestinians while Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers. Those drivers may experience delays due to increased security checks. The current shutdown is the fourth such restriction imposed in the last month, continuing a pattern of frequent gate closures that affects trade and daily movement in the territory.