Israel orders full West Bank closure after deadly Hebron shooting
Netanyahu's office ordered security forces to seal Hebron and prepare a full closure of the occupied West Bank after soldiers killed two alleged gunmen.
The story in focus
Israel's military killed two men it said attacked near Hebron on Friday, injuring at least five Israelis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office then ordered security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare a full closure of the occupied West Bank starting the same day.
- Israeli soldiers shot two men the military said launched an attack near Hebron on Friday morning.
- At least five Israelis were injured, some critically, according to emergency responders.
- Netanyahu's office ordered Hebron cordoned off and preparations for a full West Bank closure starting Friday.
Shooting near Yehuda Junction
Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, according to the Israeli military, which said the men had launched an attack. The army said the gunmen carried an M16 rifle and a handgun and that it prevented what it called a terror attack against Israeli civilians. It did not detail the alleged target. Emergency responders said gunfire was still ongoing as they reached the scene near Yehuda Junction, and that five people were injured, some critically, and evacuated to Israeli hospitals. The identities of the dead and wounded were not released. Al Jazeera, citing Israeli sources, reported the gunmen drove a car with an Israeli license plate toward a checkpoint; it said the ambulance service reported five injured soldiers, two critically.
Closure order and response
A few hours after the shooting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had ordered security forces to immediately cordon off Hebron and prepare to fully close the West Bank starting Friday. Netanyahu held an emergency Security Cabinet meeting and blamed Hamas, saying the group was planning a major attack; he offered no details of the alleged plan. NPR reported the order would be the fourth West Bank-wide restriction in the past month, with Israeli roads in the territory remaining open to Israeli drivers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for restricting Palestinian movement and, per Al Jazeera, for dismantling the Palestinian Authority. The army said it conducted dozens of West Bank operations Friday and detained dozens of people. An investigation was underway, authorities said.
What did Israel order after the Hebron shooting?
Netanyahu's office ordered security forces to immediately cordon off Hebron and prepare a full closure of the occupied West Bank starting Friday, after soldiers killed two alleged gunmen and at least five Israelis were injured.
Sources & further reading
- Israel orders closure of West Bank after soldiers kill 2 men behind an alleged attack ↗NPR
- Israel preparing full lockdown of occupied West Bank after Hebron gunfight ↗Al Jazeera
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