Netanyahu Seals West Bank After Hebron Ambush

Two Israeli soldiers lost their lives on Friday after an exchange of fire with Palestinian gunmen near the Yehuda Junction outside Hebron. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the immediate closure of the West Bank in response to the attack.

The conflict centered on the military reaction to the loss of personnel. The Israeli army stated that the two attackers, who were armed with an M16 assault rifle and a handgun, were killed during the engagement. Three other soldiers sustained light injuries in the same incident.

Security forces moved to contain the area quickly. Netanyahu’s office instructed troops to cordon off Hebron and prepare to shut down movement across the entire territory starting Friday evening. The prime minister blamed Hamas for the incident, claiming the group was planning a major strike against civilians.

Medical responders dealt with five injured individuals taken to hospitals in Israel. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described arriving at a scene where gunfire was still active. Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower legs, while one patient arrived unconscious and in serious condition.

The military launched a multi-day search operation in the specific sector of Hebron where the gunmen operated. Residents can only leave through three designated exit points after undergoing security screening. Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir reported that a large quantity of ammunition was found in a vehicle used by the attackers, suggesting a larger scale operation was planned.

Dozens of arrests were made across the West Bank on Friday. Security agencies seized weapons including M16 rifles and submachine guns from individuals affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The military also began demolishing local infrastructure deemed a threat to nearby forces.

This closure marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement in the territory. The event occurs ahead of the general election scheduled for next Tuesday. Netanyahu stated that the military would force Palestinians out of the Hebron neighborhood where the attackers were from, a tactic similar to previous assaults on refugee camps in 2025.

Human Rights Watch has previously described such expulsions as war crimes, a characterization Israel rejects. Brad Lander, a U.S. congressional candidate detained by Israeli forces earlier this week, characterized the closure as an effort to make Palestinian life impossible. Amnesty International noted that settler violence has increased during the current olive harvest season.