In brief
Israeli forces report that a gun battle at a military checkpoint on the edge of Hebron resulted in five Israeli soldiers being wounded and the two suspected Palestinian attackers being killed. Unverified footage showed bullets ricocheting around the checkpoint, where the attackers had apparently intended to strike Route 35 before being diverted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank later that day and called out a halt to the Likud campaign events. The incident follows rising tensions during the annual olive harvest and comes three days before Israel’s general election.
Five Israelis have been wounded and two suspected Palestinian attackers were killed by Israeli security forces after an intense gun battle at a checkpoint in Hebron.
Unverified footage shared online shows soldiers exchanging fire with the attackers, who had apparently intended to launch a larger strike on nearby Route 35 but detoured to the checkpoint instead.
Israel’s military said it had found a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle and stated the gunmen were clearly prepared for an ambush.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has campaigned on a security platform, ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank later that day and announced that Likud campaign events would be cancelled for the morning.
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions during the annual olive harvest and four days before Israel’s upcoming general election, raising concerns about safety in the contested region.
