Netanyahu Orders West Bank Lockdown After Hebron Shooting Wounds 5
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Oct 23
Netanyahu Orders West Bank Lockdown After Hebron Shooting Wounds 5
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Oct 23
Summary
Israel moved to seal Hebron and prepare a full West Bank lockdown on Friday after troops killed two Palestinians accused of a shooting near Yehuda Junction that wounded at least five people.
Magen David Adom said the attack was reported around 7:15 a.m. local time and left two people in critical condition; the military said the assailants carried an M16 rifle and a handgun.
Netanyahu, after an emergency Security Cabinet meeting, blamed Hamas and said weapons and ammunition had been found, while the army said numerous soldiers would operate in the area.
The clampdown lands days before an election centered on Netanyahu's security record, with far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich demanding broader action against the Palestinian Authority.
The West Bank was already tense as olive harvesting began: the U.N. logged at least 160 settler attacks in the first two weeks of October, many allegedly involving or protected by Israeli forces.