In brief
Five Israeli soldiers sustained injuries during an assault on a checkpoint at the entrance to Hebron, while two of the attackers were killed. Footage shows a chaotic firefight and a large cache of ammunition discovered in the suspects’ vehicle. The incident occurs amid tensions with settler actions during the olive harvest and as Israel readies for a general election in four days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a complete West Bank lockdown and canceled Likud party campaign events ahead of the vote.
Five Israeli soldiers were wounded when gunmen opened fire on a checkpoint guarding the western approaches to Hebron. Local authorities confirmed that two of the attackers were killed in the firefight.
Video footage shared on social media shows a chaotic exchange of fire between the soldiers and the gunmen, who were later found to have carried a large cache of ammunition.
The assault comes amid heightened tensions, as hard‑right settlers have targeted Palestinian residents during the annual olive harvest and Israel gears up for its general election in four days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank ahead of the vote.
In response, the army has already begun preparations for a lockdown slated for Monday and Tuesday, while Netanyahu announced the Likud party would cancel campaign events for the morning of the first election day.
