Shooting Near Hebron
Two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an Israeli military checkpoint at Yehuda Junction, also known as the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, near the city of Hebron in the West Bank on Friday morning (23/10/2026). Five Israelis were wounded in the incident, two of them in critical condition, according to Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service.
A firefight between the two attackers and Israeli troops lasted about 20 minutes before both were neutralized. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the two armed men were shot dead, while searches continued across the area for anyone else who may have been involved. An AFP journalist who witnessed the scene reported that the two men, dressed in civilian clothes and carrying an automatic rifle and a pistol, exchanged fire with Israeli soldiers.
The IDF recovered a vehicle used by the attackers packed with a large quantity of ammunition. "This was a serious terror attack," IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said after a situation assessment. He said the soldiers' rapid action prevented a far larger attack and that the ammunition in the car was intended for a much bigger assault.
Netanyahu Orders West Bank Closure
In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF and security forces to immediately cordon off the city of Hebron and prepare for a full closure of the entire West Bank starting Friday. The military described it as a "full siege" of Hebron, with roadblocks and searches in surrounding villages.
"I have instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately impose a closure on the city of Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown of all of Judea and Samaria, beginning today," Netanyahu said. He also called for the cancellation of all political events on Friday following the attack.
Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the attack, saying the group had planned a major assault targeting civilians. "We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them, wherever they are," he said. Hamas praised the attack in a statement but did not claim responsibility. As of this report, there was no evidence linking the Palestinian Authority to the shooting.
Four Days Before Israel's Election
The attack came just four days before Israel holds elections on October 27, 2026 — the first vote since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. The election is a crucial test for Netanyahu, who has campaigned as a security hardliner.
Netanyahu's main rival, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, wished the wounded a full and speedy recovery. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the attack by calling for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority and the demilitarization of what he described as terror infrastructure.
The IDF said it would carry out further arrests of suspects and increase intelligence operations around Hebron in the coming days.
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