Netanyahu orders 'closure' of Hebron, 'full lockdown' of occupied West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday ordered an immediate closure of Hebron and instructed security forces to prepare for a full lockdown of the occupied West Bank after a shooting near the Palestinian city wounded five Israelis and left two Palestinians dead. Netanyahu announced the measures following a security assessment involving senior officials, including the head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency and the commander of Central Command. In a post on X, he said he had instructed the Israeli military and security forces to "immediately impose a closure on the city of Hebron" and prepare for a "full lockdown" of the occupied West Bank starting Friday. The order came hours after the Israeli military said its forces had killed two Palestinians accused of carrying out the shooting. The incident comes days before the Israeli election scheduled for Tuesday, with Netanyahu seeking another term in office. Israeli military launches operations in Hebron The Israeli military said soldiers and border police had launched what it described as "offensive counter-terrorism operations" in the Hebron area and other parts of the occupied West Bank. In a statement, the military said troops were searching the area and raiding the homes of the suspected attackers and other suspects. The shooting occurred near the Yehuda Junction, close to Hebron, early Friday. Israel's emergency service, Magen David Adom, said it received reports of multiple casualties at around 7.15 am local time. At least five Israelis were injured, including two who were in critical condition, according to the emergency service. The victims were reported to be in their 20s. The Israeli military said its forces had responded to the attack and killed two Palestinians. According to an AFP journalist who witnessed the exchange of fire, two Palestinian men armed with a handgun and an automatic rifle exchanging gunfire with Israeli forces near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Netanyahu said Israeli troops had prevented what could have been a major attack, claiming the two suspects were carrying a large quantity of ammunition in their vehicle. The prime minister praised the troops involved in the response and cancelled all Likud party political meetings scheduled for Friday following the incident. Hamas praises attack, Israeli minister calls for Palestinian authority to be dismantled Hamas praised the shooting, describing it as an "exceptional heroic operation" and calling it a response to Israeli actions against Palestinians. The group mourned the two Palestinians killed but did not claim responsibility for the attack. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the occupied West Bank, to be dismantled and demilitarised. "The Palestinian Authority must be dismantled and demilitarised, and its terror infrastructure wiped out completely," Ben Gvir said in a statement. The supplied reporting provides no evidence that the Palestinian Authority was involved in the shooting. Netanyahu vowed to pursue Hamas members, saying the group would have no place to hide. Gadi Eisenkot, a former Israeli army chief and one of Netanyahu's main election rivals, praised the response by Israeli troops and wished the injured a full recovery. West Bank tensions rise ahead of Israeli election The lockdown order comes amid heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, where Israeli military operations and settler violence against Palestinians have intensified in recent weeks. The escalation coincides with the start of the olive harvesting season, when Palestinian farmers have faced attacks and disruptions. Activists and American nationals accompanying Palestinian farmers have also reportedly been attacked or detained. Earlier this week, New York congressional candidate Brad Lander was detained in the area alongside activists and American rabbis. The United Nations recorded at least 160 Israeli settler attacks linked to the olive harvesting season during the first two weeks of October. The UN said many of the incidents took place "under the protection of, or with the participation of, Israeli forces." According to an AFP tally based on Palestinian health ministry figures, Israeli forces or settlers have killed 1,113 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since the Gaza war began in October 2023. Israeli figures show that at least 49 Israelis, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations over the same period. Netanyahu has made security a central theme of his election campaign, repeatedly warning of threats facing Israel following the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. (With AFP inputs)