Netanyahu moves to lock down West Bank days before Israeli election

Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the immediate closure of Hebron and preparations for a full lockdown across the West Bank.

“I have instructed the IDF and the security forces to immediately impose a closure on the city of Hebron and to prepare for a full lockdown across all of Judea and Samaria starting today,” the Israeli PM wrote on X after a security assessment with senior defense and intelligence officials.

He said Israeli forces were stepping up operations and carrying out mass arrests, vowing to pursue Hamas members “everywhere and at all times.”

The move follows a shooting early in the morning at the northern entrance to Hebron. Two Palestinians were reported killed, while six Israeli soldiers were injured.

Netanyahu also ordered his Likud party to cancel all political events following the attack, the party said.

ℹ️ Content Notice: This text is an English translation and factual adaptation of news events, edited for clarity, neutrality and objective reporting.
Source of information: Global News Agencies including REUTERS / TASS / AFP / ANADOLU / INT.RU / Al Jazeera / CNN