Israeli security forces killed two suspected Palestinian attackers during a shooting at a military checkpoint at the entrance to Hebron on Friday. Five Israelis were wounded in the incident, with Magen David Adom reporting that two of the victims remain in critical condition.
One victim, a man in his 20s, suffered gunshot wounds and is in very serious condition. The Israeli military found a large quantity of ammunition in the vehicle of the attackers.
The Israeli military stated the gunmen intended to carry out a much larger attack on the nearby Route 35. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had prevented a “major attack” after soldiers killed the two armed Palestinians.
The Prime Minister also said he would "impose a cordon on the city of Hebron and to prepare for a full closure of the entire West Bank starting today." Likud party events scheduled for the morning were cancelled by Netanyahu, who is running for a new term in elections on Tuesday.
Israeli security forces blocked a road leading to a Palestinian olive grove. Gadi Eisenkot said, "Like all Israelis, I pray for the complete and quick recovery of the injured."
Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, Israeli forces or settlers have killed 1,113 Palestinians in the territory, according to an AFP tally based on data from the Palestinian health ministry. Israeli figures indicate at least 49 Israelis have been killed in attacks or during Israeli military operations since October 2023.
