Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a closure of the West Bank following a deadly attack that killed two Israeli soldiers in Hebron. The move comes as Israel faces critical elections on October 27, with the incident highlighting tensions in the region.
Netanyahu announced the closure, instructing military forces to evacuate residents, search homes, and destroy 'terrorist infrastructure' near the attack site. The attack, which occurred at a military checkpoint, left three others injured. Hamas, without claiming responsibility, praised the attack as a 'heroic operation' and called for further action.
The closure follows a surge in settler violence and comes amid heightened political pressure on Netanyahu, who is facing a closely contested election. The incident is seen as a significant development in the ongoing conflict, with both political and security implications for Israel and the region.
Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right finance minister, has called for a military campaign in the West Bank, echoing past policies. The Israeli military has confirmed the killing of the two attackers, but the full scope of the operation remains under review as the country prepares for elections amid ongoing tensions.