Hebron Ambush Kills Two Soldiers, Sealing the West Bank

Two Israeli soldiers died on Friday after a brief exchange of fire with two Palestinian gunmen near Hebron.

The confrontation began in the morning when the armed men reached an Israeli military position at Yehuda Junction. According to the army, the attackers were equipped with an M16 assault rifle and a handgun. The resulting firefight lasted approximately 20 minutes before Israeli troops neutralized both suspects. Three other soldiers sustained light injuries during the engagement.

Emergency responders treated five individuals on the scene, including two men in their 20s with gunshot wounds to their lower limbs and one person left unconscious. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, stated that his team arrived while shooting was still active. Authorities confirmed the two attackers were Palestinians from Hebron and said an investigation into the incident is underway.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting of his security cabinet shortly after the attack. His office ordered security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare to close the entire West Bank. Netanyahu attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack on civilians. He said his soldiers thwarted the plan with courage, though he did not provide specific details on the intended operation.

The military launched a multi-day search operation in the specific area of Hebron where the gunmen operated. Residents can only leave the zone through three designated exit points after undergoing security screening. The army also began demolishing nearby infrastructure it identified as a threat. Eyal Zamir, the chief of staff, announced that a large quantity of ammunition was found in a vehicle used by the attackers. This material was reportedly intended for a larger-scale strike.

Israeli forces and security agencies conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. These efforts resulted in the arrest of dozens of people, including members affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and the seizure of M16 rifles and submachine guns.

The closure marks the fourth time in the past month that Israel has restricted movement in the territory. This development occurs ahead of Tuesday's election, where voters will decide whether to grant Netanyahu another term. Netanyahu suggested Hamas might attempt to strike Israel to influence the vote. He also stated that the military would force Palestinians out of the neighborhood where the attackers originated. Brad Lander, a U.S. congressional candidate detained earlier this week, described the closure as an effort to make Palestinian life impossible.