West Bank Closure: Fourth Shutdown in One Month

Voters in the West Bank will find their gates and checkpoints locked starting Friday, marking the fourth full closure of the territory in the past month. The shutdown takes effect immediately following a fatal shootout near the city of Hebron, where Israeli soldiers killed two men and wounded at least five others. For residents, this means restricted access to main roads, while Israeli drivers, including settlers, can still use local routes despite potential delays.

The military stated that its troops stopped a terror attack against Israeli civilians on Friday morning. The army identified the two gunmen as carrying an M16 rifle and a handgun, though it did not specify who the intended target was. Emergency responders arrived at the scene near the Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still ongoing. Tzuriel Edri, a member of the response team, described the scene as difficult due to the active shooting. Five people were transported to hospitals in Israel, with two men in their 20s suffering gunshot wounds to their lower limbs and another victim reported unconscious and seriously hurt.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure after the shooting, instructing security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare a full shutdown of the West Bank. He convened an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and top military leaders. During the briefing, Netanyahu attributed the incident to Hamas, claiming the group was planning a major attack to kill innocent civilians. He praised the troops for thwarting the plot with courage and determination, although he provided no specific details about the planned operation. The prime minister also wished the wounded a speedy recovery without clarifying whether they were soldiers or civilians.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir used the incident to argue for stricter limits on Palestinian movement in the West Bank. Ben-Gvir, a far-right figure, stated that the lives of residents, settlers, soldiers, and police in Judea and Samaria are far more important than freedom of movement. He used the Israeli term for the territory in his remarks, emphasizing the priority of security over mobility for those living in the region.

This closure occurs just days before Israeli voters head to the polls on Tuesday. The election will determine whether Netanyahu receives another term or if the country moves into a new political era. The vote takes place three years after the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which started the war in Gaza. Israeli officials have cautioned that enemies of the state may attempt to strike in the lead-up to the election. Netanyahu had previously suggested that Hamas might try to hit Israel to sway the vote, though he offered no evidence for that claim.

Following the shootout, Israeli soldiers, working with security and intelligence services, conducted dozens of operations across the West Bank on Friday. These actions resulted in the detention of dozens of people, including individuals linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Troops also recovered weapons, such as M16 rifles and submachine guns, during the sweep. An investigation into the Hebron incident remains ongoing.

This is the fourth time in the past month that Israel has imposed such restrictions. The closures involve shutting gates and checkpoints that connect Palestinian villages to major roads. While the territory is sealed off for Palestinians, Israeli roads remain open to Israeli drivers, who may face delays during the shutdown.