Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank after two soldiers killed in shooting attack
Israel Orders West Bank Closure After Deadly Checkpoint Shooting
Goldlaner.com – Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank after a shooting at an Israeli military checkpoint killed two soldiers and lightly injured three others. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the restrictions on Friday as the military also placed Hebron under what it described as a complete siege.
The Israel Defense Forces said two Palestinian gunmen carried out the attack before they were killed by Israeli forces. Security personnel continued searching the surrounding area for possible accomplices as the operation expanded.
The shooting came four days before Israelis were due to vote in their first national election since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack. The incident pushed security to the forefront of a high-stakes campaign in which Netanyahu has emphasized his hardline national-security record.
Israeli forces widen their response
Video from the scene showed an extended exchange of fire between the attackers and Israeli forces. In Reuters footage, an Israeli responder said the shooting continued for at least 20 minutes and that rescuers struggled to reach and evacuate the wounded.
The IDF said it found a vehicle used in the attack containing a large quantity of ammunition. Military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the weapons suggested the gunmen had intended an assault on a much larger scale.
This was a serious terror attack. The fighters’ rapid action prevented an even more serious attack and further harm to civilians and security forces.
Zamir said Israeli forces would increase intelligence activity and pursue further arrests. Netanyahu said Israel would continue targeting Hamas militants and those accused of directing them.
We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them, wherever they are and at all times.
Hamas praised the shooting in a statement but did not claim responsibility for carrying it out.
What the West Bank closure could mean
Israel maintains more than 900 checkpoints, gates and other barriers across the occupied West Bank. Travel limits between Palestinian towns and villages are a regular part of daily life, particularly during Jewish holidays and periods of heightened security concern.
Netanyahu orders closure of West Bank beginning Friday, but authorities had not made clear when all measures would be implemented or how long they would remain in force. A complete shutdown would be difficult to enforce across a territory with a wide road network and numerous access points.
Such restrictions can prevent Palestinians with Israeli identification cards or work permits from entering Israel. Although movement is already heavily restricted, tighter controls can affect employment, medical treatment, family visits and commercial activity.
Hebron is likely to face particular disruption. The city has a large Palestinian population, Israeli settlements and a substantial military presence, making it one of the West Bank’s most heavily controlled urban areas. After security incidents, restrictions can quickly alter travel routes, business activity and access between neighborhoods.
Netanyahu signals further action in Hebron
Later on Friday, Netanyahu said the military would remove residents from the area associated with the gunmen and conduct a forceful operation there. He compared the proposed approach with Israeli operations in early 2025 in the Jenin, Tulkarm, Nur Shams and Al-Far’a refugee camps.
Those operations displaced thousands of Palestinians and emptied entire neighborhoods. Netanyahu said a similar model would be applied in the Hebron neighborhood from which the attackers came.
That is exactly what we will do here, in a neighborhood in Hebron from which the terrorists came. We will evacuate the residents, go house to house, remove weapons found there, and address and destroy all terrorist infrastructure.
The statement indicated that Israel’s response could extend beyond the checkpoint shooting, including house-to-house searches, weapons seizures and possible displacement of residents.
FAQ: West Bank Closure After the Checkpoint Attack
Why did Netanyahu order the closure?
Netanyahu ordered the West Bank closure after the checkpoint shooting killed two Israeli soldiers. Israeli authorities said the measure was part of a wider security response as forces searched for possible accomplices.
Who may be affected by the restrictions?
Palestinians traveling between West Bank communities, as well as people seeking to enter Israel for work, medical care, family visits or commerce, may be affected by tighter checkpoint and border restrictions.
What is happening in Hebron?
Israeli forces placed Hebron under a complete siege, according to the military. Netanyahu also said the army would conduct operations in the neighborhood linked to the gunmen, including searches for weapons and alleged militant infrastructure.