Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank after two soldiers killed in shooting attack
Netanyahu Orders Closure of West Bank After Deadly Checkpoint Attack
Activelifezero.com – Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank crossings and movement routes after a shooting attack near Hebron killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three others. Israeli forces launched searches in the area after two Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a military checkpoint on Friday.
The Israel Defense Forces said both attackers were killed following an exchange of gunfire that lasted several minutes. The military also announced a full siege of Hebron as troops searched for possible accomplices and investigated the attack.
Israeli Forces Respond to Checkpoint Shooting
Videos from the scene showed repeated gunfire as Israeli personnel responded. In footage recorded during the incident, an Israeli responder said the shooting had continued for at least 20 minutes and that rescuers faced difficulty reaching and evacuating the wounded.
The IDF said it recovered the vehicle used by the gunmen and found a large quantity of ammunition inside. Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the weapons cache indicated the attackers may have intended to inflict greater harm.
“This was a serious terror attack,” Zamir said after a security assessment.
“The fighters’ rapid action prevented an even more serious attack and further harm to civilians and security forces.”
Zamir said the military would increase intelligence activity and carry out further arrests while the investigation continued.
What the West Bank Closure Could Mean
Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank territory as Israel approaches its first election since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack. The prime minister has highlighted security during the campaign, making the attack a major development days before voters go to the polls.
Officials did not immediately provide details about when the closure would begin, how broadly it would be enforced or how long it would last. Israel maintains more than 900 checkpoints, gates and barriers across the West Bank, where Palestinian travel is already heavily restricted.
Restrictions often increase during major security operations and Jewish holidays. A full closure could further limit travel between Palestinian towns and villages, while also affecting Palestinians with Israeli identification documents or permits to enter Israel.
Hebron remains one of the West Bank’s most sensitive cities, with a substantial Israeli military presence and areas where Palestinian residents and Israeli settlers live in close proximity. The siege added pressure to a city where checkpoints and access controls are already part of daily life.
Netanyahu Signals Broader Action in Hebron
Later Friday, Netanyahu said Israeli forces would take strong action in the Hebron neighborhood from which the attackers came. He compared the expected operation to military actions in Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams and the Al-Far’a refugee camp in early 2025.
Those operations displaced thousands of Palestinians and emptied entire neighborhoods. Netanyahu said troops would search homes, remove weapons and target what he described as militant infrastructure.
“That is exactly what we will do here, in a neighborhood in Hebron from which the terrorists came,” Netanyahu said.
He also said Israeli forces would pursue Hamas members and those who directed them. Hamas praised the checkpoint attack in a statement but did not claim responsibility.
FAQ: West Bank Closure After the Hebron Attack
Why did Netanyahu order the closure? Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank areas after the checkpoint shooting near Hebron killed two Israeli soldiers. Israeli authorities said the measure was part of the response while forces searched for suspects and possible accomplices.
Who carried out the attack? The IDF said two Palestinian gunmen carried out the shooting. Both were killed at the scene after exchanging fire with Israeli forces.
How could the closure affect residents? The restrictions could further limit travel between Palestinian communities and may affect access to checkpoints, work routes and crossings into Israel.
