West Bank trade halts for fourth time this month after fatal Hebron shooting

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, triggering the fourth full closure of the West Bank in the past month. The military announced the shutdown just hours after the incident, halting the movement of Palestinians through gates and checkpoints that connect villages to main roads. Israeli drivers, including settlers, can still use the roads but may face delays.

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

Emergency responders reported that they arrived at the scene near Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still active. Tzuriel Edri of the response team described the situation as a difficult scene. Medical teams transported five people to hospitals in Israel. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, and a third victim arrived unconscious and seriously hurt. An investigation into the shooting is currently ongoing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and heads of military and security agencies following the incident. He blamed Hamas for the event, claiming the group was planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. Netanyahu stated that the troops thwarted the attack with courage and determination. He did not provide specific details about the plot or clarify whether the wounded were soldiers or civilians.

The shooting occurred days before Israeli voters go to the polls on Tuesday to decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term or move toward a new political era. The election takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that started the war in Gaza. The government warned that enemies of Israel might attempt strikes in the days leading up to the vote. Netanyahu had previously suggested Hamas might try to hit Israel to sway the election result, though he offered no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for stricter limits on Palestinian movement. He stated that the lives of settlers, soldiers, and police are vastly more important than freedom of movement. Ben-Gvir referred to the territory using the Israeli terms Judea and Samaria. He is a far-right figure known for his extremist views on the region.

On Friday, Israeli soldiers worked with security and intelligence services to carry out dozens of operations across the West Bank. These operations resulted in the detention of dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also reported finding weapons, such as M16 rifles and submachine guns, during the sweeps.

This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed restrictions across the territory. These closures shut down the gates and checkpoints that link Palestinian villages to major roads. The repeated shutdowns have disrupted daily life and commerce for working families in the region. The military maintains that the current closure is necessary to secure the area ahead of the election.

The next step is the general election on Tuesday. Voters will cast ballots in a climate of heightened security. The military will maintain the cordon around Hebron and the broader restrictions on the West Bank until it determines the situation has stabilized. No specific end date for the closure has been announced.