After 5 people were injured in an attack, Netanyahu issues security directives regarding Hebron and the West Bank

Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli military checkpoint on Friday in the occupied West Bank, wounding five people and prompting the Israeli army to impose a “complete security cordon” on the city of Hebron. The Israeli Magen David Adom ambulance service reported that two of the injured were in critical condition.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the two gunmen were shot dead, while the forces continued combing operations in the area, searching for any other people possibly linked to the attack. It was not immediately clear whether the injured were soldiers or civilians.

Video clips from the scene of the incident show an exchange of fire between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces, which lasted at least several minutes, with repeated gunshots being heard. In one of the clips broadcast by Reuters, an Israeli crew member is heard saying that the shooting has been going on for more than 20 minutes, and that they are having difficulty evacuating the wounded from the site.

The attack comes just four days before Israel holds elections, the first since the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and constitutes an important test for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who sought to present himself as a hard-line figure in the security file. The Israeli army announced that it had found a vehicle used by the militants to carry out the attack, which contained a “large amount” of ammunition.

Israeli Chief of Staff, General Eyal Zamir, said after assessing the situation: “It was a serious terrorist attack. The quick movement of soldiers prevented a more serious attack and prevented further harm to civilians and security forces.”

Zamir added that the ammunition found in the vehicle was intended "to carry out an attack on a much larger scale." Zamir indicated that the Israeli army will carry out more arrests against suspects, and will intensify intelligence activities in the region.

For his part, Netanyahu announced, on Friday, the imposition of an immediate security cordon on the city of Hebron, and preparations to impose a complete closure on the West Bank, following the attack. Netanyahu said, in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office: “I have just completed an assessment of the situation with the participation of the Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff, the Head of the General Security Service (Shin Bet), the Head of the National Security Council, and the Commander of Central Command.”

Netanyahu praised the Israeli soldiers, saying: "I pay tribute to our heroic fighters who acted decisively and prevented a major terrorist attack, and I wish a speedy recovery for our wounded." He added: “I have instructed the Israeli army and security services to impose an immediate security cordon on the city of Hebron, and to prepare to impose a comprehensive closure on all parts of the West Bank, starting today.

Our forces are working with intensive reinforcements to thwart terrorism, and are carrying out large-scale arrest campaigns. The statement concluded by saying: “We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who send them, everywhere and at all times.