Netanyahu Orders Fourth West Bank Shutdown as Election Looms

Israeli security forces began sealing the West Bank on Friday, marking the fourth full closure of the territory in the past month. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the measure hours after troops shot and killed two men near Hebron. The order halts traffic through gates and checkpoints that link Palestinian villages to major roads, while Israeli roads remain open to local drivers and settlers.

The incident occurred on Friday morning near Yehuda Junction. The military stated that soldiers stopped a terror attack against Israeli civilians. The two gunmen were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun. The army did not specify the intended target of the assault.

Emergency responders reported that five people were transported to hospitals in Israel. They arrived at the scene while gunfire was still active. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs. A third victim was unconscious and seriously injured. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described the situation as a difficult scene with ongoing shooting.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of the Security Cabinet and leaders of the main military and security agencies. He blamed Hamas for the incident, claiming the group planned a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians. He said the troops thwarted the attack with courage and determination. He offered no specific details about the plot and wished the wounded a speedy recovery without confirming whether they were soldiers or civilians.

The closure comes just days before Israeli voters decide on Tuesday whether to grant Netanyahu another term or move the country into a new political era. The vote takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks that triggered the war in Gaza. The government has warned that enemies may attempt strikes before the election. Netanyahu previously suggested Hamas might target Israel to sway the result, though he provided no evidence for that claim.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir argued earlier in the day that the attack proved Israel must limit Palestinian freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term Judea and Samaria for the territory. He stated that the lives of residents, settlers, soldiers, and police officers are a million times more important than freedom of movement.

On Friday, soldiers working with security and intelligence services carried out dozens of operations across the West Bank. They detained dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops reported finding weapons such as M16 rifles and submachine guns. An investigation into the shooting remained ongoing.

This is the fourth time in 30 days that Israel has imposed restrictions across the territory. The repeated shutdowns have disrupted cross-border trade and daily life for Palestinians. Israeli drivers may face delays, but their access to the roads remains technically open.