West Bank Sealed Days Before Vote

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, prompting the military to seal off the West Bank hours later. The closure is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement across the territory. The vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's future takes place on Tuesday.

The army stated that its troops stopped an attack against Israeli civilians. The two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. The military did not specify the intended target of the assault. At least five people were wounded in the incident, with some injuries described as critical. The identities of the dead and injured have not been released.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene near Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri of the response team said the team found a difficult scene with ongoing shooting. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. A third victim was unconscious and seriously hurt. Five people were transported to hospitals in Israel. Authorities confirmed an investigation is ongoing.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet and military leaders following the shooting. He blamed Hamas for the incident, claiming the group was planning a major attack to kill civilians. Netanyahu said the troops thwarted the attack with courage and determination. He offered no specific details about the plot. The Prime Minister also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without identifying them as soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir spoke earlier in the day about the incident. He argued that the attack proved Israel must limit Palestinian freedom of movement. Ben-Gvir stated that the lives of residents, settlers, soldiers, and police are far more important than freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term Judea and Samaria to refer to the territory.

The army reported that dozens of operations were carried out across the West Bank on Friday. Soldiers worked with security and intelligence services to detain dozens of people. Some detainees were linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops found weapons including M16 rifles and submachine guns during the operations.

The shooting occurred days before Israeli voters decide whether to give Netanyahu another term. The election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that started the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies may try to strike before the vote. Netanyahu had suggested Hamas might attack to sway the result, though he provided no evidence for that claim. Israeli roads in the West Bank remain open to drivers, including settlers, who may face delays.