Israel seals West Bank before election

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men near Hebron on Friday morning, an action that triggered an immediate order to cordon off the occupied West Bank. The incident occurred just days before national elections that will determine the future of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

The military stated that troops stopped a terror attack against Israeli civilians. Officials said the two gunmen possessed an M16 rifle and a handgun, though the army did not specify the intended target of the assault. Emergency responders reported that five people were wounded, with some in critical condition, before being transported to hospitals in Israel.

Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and top security chiefs following the shooting. He blamed Hamas for planning a major attack aimed at killing innocent civilians. The prime minister praised the troops for thwarting the plot with courage but provided no specific details about the planned operation or the status of the injured, leaving it unclear if they were soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for stricter movement restrictions. He stated that the lives of residents, settlers, and soldiers in Judea and Samaria are a million times more important than Palestinian freedom of movement. His remarks reflect a push within the coalition to tighten control over the territory.

Security forces carried out dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday, detaining dozens of individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops seized weapons including M16 rifles and submachine guns during these raids. An investigation into the initial shooting near the Yehuda Junction remains ongoing, with authorities noting that gunfire was still active when first responders arrived.

This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such restrictions across the territory. While gates and checkpoints linking Palestinian villages to major roads are shut, Israeli roads remain open to drivers, including settlers, who may experience delays. The closure sets the stage for Tuesday's vote, which takes place three years after the attacks that started the war in Gaza.