Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank after a deadly attack near Hebron, where two men were shot and killed, and at least five people, including two Israelis, were wounded. The attack, which occurred days before Israeli elections, has intensified tensions in the region.
The attack, which took place near the Hebron checkpoint, involved two men armed with an M16 assault rifle and a handgun, who exchanged fire with Israeli forces before being killed. Netanyahu called for political meetings to be cancelled and said soldiers prevented a potential major attack, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures.
Netanyahu's statement comes as tensions rise in the West Bank, including over attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian olive harvesters. The incident has led to calls for a military campaign in the region, with some Israeli officials urging a comprehensive approach to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and eliminate terrorists.
Hamas praised the attack as an 'exceptional heroic operation' and mourned the two dead assailants, though it did not claim responsibility. The attack is described as a 'natural and legitimate response' to ongoing attacks against Palestinians, highlighting the complex and volatile situation in the region.