Attack in the West Bank – Netanyahu orders a siege

 

TT 

Published 07:59 | Updated 13:34

        

       Israeli soldiers and medical personnel following an incident near Hebron early Friday. Photo:                      Mahmoud Illean/AP/TT

At least five people have been wounded in a shooting in the West Bank, Israeli media report.

Two suspected Palestinians have been shot dead, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a “lockdown” of the entire West Bank—just days before Israel heads to the polls.

Friday’s attack took place near Hebron, *Haaretz* reports. Two of the wounded are said to be in critical condition.

Two suspected Palestinian perpetrators were shot dead by the Israeli military. According to Major General Eyal Zamir, they were in possession of a large quantity of weapons and were planning a large-scale attack against civilians.

Hebron and its surrounding areas have been placed under lockdown, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. On X, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed a “cordoning off” of Hebron, involving large-scale military operations and arrests. He also stated that he has ordered the military to prepare for a “complete lockdown” of the entire West Bank, beginning Friday.

Seeking an operation “like in Gaza”

Soldiers and border police have launched “offensive counter-terrorism operations in the Hebron area and other locations,” including raids on several homes, the Israeli military stated. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has ordered the "immediate demolition of a large number of illegal Arab structures in the vicinity of the attack site," reports AFP.

At the same time, Smotrich is calling for a military offensive in the West Bank—occupied by Israel since 1967—"just like in Gaza."

Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization, has praised Friday’s shooting and called for further similar attacks, according to The Times of Israel—though it has not claimed responsibility.

Elections on Tuesday

The incident comes amid rising tensions in the West Bank, including an increase in settler violence against Palestinian farmers. Furthermore, last week, an American photographer and a convoy of European diplomats were attacked in the Israeli-occupied territory.

Following the shooting, Netanyahu ordered his party to cancel political events scheduled for Friday morning, reports Haaretz. Israel is heading to the polls on Tuesday.

According to AFP, ultra-conservative National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is calling for the dissolution of the Palestinian Authority, which administers limited self-rule in the West Bank.