A burst of gunfire at a checkpoint near Hebron has set off sweeping security measures just days before Israelis vote.
Israel ordered its military on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, to prepare for a full West Bank closure after Palestinian gunmen wounded five Israelis in an attack near the city of Hebron.
What happened near Hebron?
Two gunmen opened fire early Friday at Yehuda Junction, a checkpoint southwest of Hebron near the boundary between southern Israel and the West Bank. Five Israelis were wounded, two of them critically, according to Israeli media.
Soldiers killed both attackers after a shootout that lasted a prolonged period. A member of the emergency response team said shooting was still underway when responders arrived. No Israelis were killed in the attack, though some of the wounded were in serious condition.
The attackers were traveling in a car with Israeli license plates and carried an assault rifle and a pistol, according to Israeli security sources cited in local reports. Military sources believe they planned to drive deeper into Israel but were stopped at the checkpoint. Hebron is the largest Palestinian city in the West Bank.
What does the West Bank closure order involve?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he directed the army and security forces to immediately seal off Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown of the entire West Bank starting Friday. His office gave few details on how long a West Bank closure would last or how it would work.
The military imposed a full siege on Hebron and nearby villages and said it carried out dozens of operations across the territory, arresting dozens of people, including some affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. An investigation into the attack is underway.
A West Bank closure typically restricts Palestinians from moving between cities and from entering Israel for work, except in humanitarian cases.
How did Israeli leaders respond?
Netanyahu blamed Hamas, saying the group was planning a major attack meant to kill civilians, and vowed to pursue those responsible wherever they are. He convened a security assessment with military and intelligence officials before issuing the orders.
Israel’s national security minister called for tighter limits on Palestinian movement and for dismantling the Palestinian Authority. Israel’s finance minister said he ordered buildings near the attack site demolished. Both ministers lead parties on the right flank of Netanyahu’s coalition.
How could the attack affect Israel’s election?
Israelis vote Tuesday in a national election that will decide whether Netanyahu wins another term. He has centered much of his campaign on security, and he had warned that Hamas might try to strike to influence the outcome.
Security incidents in the final days of a campaign often shift the national conversation, and the West Bank closure order is likely to keep security at the forefront heading into the vote.
Why is the West Bank closure controversial?
Palestinians and human rights groups have long criticized closures as collective punishment that disrupts daily life for millions of people who had nothing to do with an attack. About 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank. Many Palestinians rely on jobs in Israel or travel between cities for work, school and medical care.
Israeli officials say a West Bank closure is necessary to prevent further attacks and to search for anyone who helped the gunmen.
The territory has been a growing flash point since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering the war in Gaza. Closures have become more common as violence has risen.
How long the West Bank closure lasts, and how it affects daily life, may become clearer in the coming days.
