Israel orders full West Bank closure after shooting attack

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 09:50 · Archive

Israel has ordered its army to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank after an armed attack near Hebron left five people wounded.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank on Friday following a shooting attack near the city of Hebron. The Israeli military said it killed two gunmen who it alleged had launched a 'terror attack' against Israeli civilians. At least five people were wounded in the incident, some critically, and were evacuated to hospitals in Israel.

Emergency responders said they arrived at the scene near Yehuda Junction while gunfire was still ongoing. Two men in their 20s sustained gunshot wounds to their lower limbs; one was unconscious and in serious condition. A response team member, Tzuriel Edri, described the scene as 'difficult'.

Newton said he had instructed security forces to immediately cordon off the city of Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown across all of the West Bank, known to Israelis as Judea and Samaria, starting Friday. The military said the gunmen carried an M16 rifle and a handgun. The military did not elaborate on the intended target of the alleged attack, nor were the identities of the two dead and those injured disclosed.

Following the incident, the military set up roadblocks and closures in Palestinian towns in the area. Netanyahu said Israeli forces were 'operating with enhanced strength to thwart terrorism' and carrying out 'extensive waves of arrests'.

The incident occurred a week before Israeli elections scheduled for the following Tuesday, the first since 2019 and the first since the October 7 Hamas attacks. According to one outlet, settler violence has been on the rise in the West Bank, with dozens of Palestinians killed in the territory since the start of the year.

An investigation into the shooting was underway, authorities said.

How it is being reported

• Israel orders army to prepare for full closure of West BankBenjamin Netanyahu's office has said the army has been ordered to fully close the West Bank, from Friday, following a deadly shooting - this comes just days before the Israeli electionsThe Mirror · 23 Oct, 09:39
• Netanyahu orders army to prepare for full West Bank closure after attackThe office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army to prepare for a full closure of the occupied West Bank Friday after Israeli soldiers shot and killed two men who the military said had launched a "terror attack" near the city of Hebron. Emergency services said five people were injured and evacuated to hospitals.France 24 · 23 Oct, 09:35
• Israel orders army to prepare for full closure of West Bank after attackThe office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it instructed security forces to immediately cordon off the city of HebronIndependent World · 23 Oct, 09:33
• Israel preparing 'full closure' of West Bank, Netanyahu saysPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is shutting down the occupied West Bank after having prevented a "major attack."DW News · 23 Oct, 09:25
• Israel orders army to prepare full closure of West Bank as tensions soar after shootingIsrael has told its army to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank, Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed. The Prime Minister held a security assessment with security chiefs this morning, and confirmed a "closure on the city of Hebron and to prepare for a full lockdown across all of Judea and Samaria starting today." It comes after five Israelis were wounded in a shooting attack in the West Bank earlier today. The IDF said two Palestinian gunmen were killed in the returning fire. The Israeli Prime Minister wrote on X: "I have just concluded a situation assessment with the Minister of…GB News · 23 Oct, 09:22
• Israel orders army to prepare to fully close West Bank after attackIsrael has ordered its army to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank following an attack.Sky News · 23 Oct, 09:03

In this story: Benjamin Netanyahu · Israel · Hebron · West Bank · Hamas

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