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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed security forces to impose a siege on the city of Hebron and fully close the West Bank, following a shooting incident that targeted Israeli occupation forces near the city, resulting in 5 injuries and the martyrdom of the perpetrators, according to media reports.
Israel's Channel 12 quoted "Magen David Adom" teams as reporting 5 injuries, including two in serious condition, one with moderate injuries, and two with minor wounds.
Details of the operation
The shooting occurred near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in the vicinity of Hebron in the southern West Bank, while Israel's Channel 14 reported that the operation targeted a military tower near the Telem settlement.
Israeli media reported that a clash lasting more than 20 minutes erupted following the shooting, which delayed the evacuation of the wounded.
The "Walla" website stated that a preliminary investigation indicated that the perpetrators had set an ambush for the occupation forces and opened fire after the soldiers approached them.
Israeli reports stated that the perpetrators arrived at the scene in a car with yellow license plates, and one was armed with a rifle while the other had a pistol.
The Israeli occupation army announced the martyrdom of the perpetrators, noting that they were residents of Hebron, identified as Hamouda and Firas al-Ja'bari.
The Israeli Chief of General Staff said that a large quantity of ammunition was found inside the vehicle the perpetrators arrived in, and that it was intended for a wider-scale attack, adding that the soldiers' rapid response prevented a larger attack, according to Israeli media.
Military measures in Hebron and its surroundings
The Israeli occupation army announced the deployment of military reinforcements and the execution of combing operations, while Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved a plan to impose a full security cordon on Hebron and other villages in the region, in addition to intensifying arrest campaigns and strengthening intelligence efforts.
The Palestinian news agency "Wafa" reported that occupation forces fired live ammunition at two young men at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, leading to their injury and fall to the ground, amid initial reports of their martyrdom and unknown identities.
The agency added that occupation forces closed the checkpoints and iron gates erected at the entrances and exits of the governorate, completely preventing the movement of Palestinians.
Security sources stated that occupation forces arrested Jamal al-Din al-Haribat from the village of Beit al-Rush, southwest of Hebron, and Mohammed Zaitoun al-Halayqa from the town of Al-Shuyukh to the east, and also raided homes in the Al-Arroub refugee camp, searching them and tampering with their contents, without reports of arrests during those raids.
Netanyahu calls for the cancellation of election activities
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu held an urgent security meeting following the operation and requested his party to cancel election activities.
Netanyahu said that his forces prevented a large-scale attack in the West Bank.
Ben-Gvir calls for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the operation, upon his arrival at the scene, as a "bloody and cruel reminder of the price of the wrong security concept," warning against a repeat of the October 7 events in the West Bank.
Ben-Gvir said that the operation confirms, in his words, the necessity of dismantling the Palestinian Authority.
He also demanded an end to Palestinians using shared roads traveled by settlers, saying; "The freedom of movement of Palestinian residents is less important than our right to life."
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