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Israel Orders West Bank Closure 10/23 06:16
Israeli soldiers shot and killed two Palestinians who the military said had
launched an attack near Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Friday morning. At
least five other people were injured, some critically.
HEBRON, West Bank (AP) -- Israeli soldiers shot and killed two Palestinians
who the military said had launched an attack near Hebron in the occupied West
Bank on Friday morning. At least five other people were injured, some
critically.
The violence is likely to heighten political tensions and security concerns
ahead of Israel's parliamentary election next week.
The army said it had prevented a "terror attack against Israeli civilians"
and that the two men, both Palestinians from Hebron, were armed with an M16
rifle and a handgun. It did not elaborate on the target of the attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later said it had instructed
security forces to immediately cordon off Hebron and prepare for a full closure
of the West Bank starting Friday.
Voters go to the polls Tuesday in an election that will help determine
whether Netanyahu secures another term as prime minister. The vote comes three
years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.
Israel's government has warned of potential attacks by the country's
"enemies" in the lead-up to the election.
Netanyahu holds an emergency meeting
Following the shooting, Netanyahu held an emergency meeting of his Security
Cabinet and officials from top military and security agencies. He said Hamas
was "planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians."
"Our brave soldiers thwarted this attack with courage and determination," he
said, without elaborating on what the planned attack entailed.
"I commend them for their actions and wish our wounded a speedy recovery,"
he added but did not say if the wounded were soldiers or civilians.
Earlier Friday, Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar
Ben-Gvir, known for extremist views, said that the attack shows that Israel
needs to restrict the Palestinians' freedom of movement in the West Bank.
"The lives of the residents of Judea and Samaria, of the settlers, the lives
of the soldiers, the lives of the police officers, the lives of our fighters
are a million times more important than freedom of movement," he said, using an
Israeli reference to the West Bank.
Ahead of the anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that
triggered the war, Netanyahu said the Palestinian militant group could attack
Israel in a bid to influence the outcome of the elections. He did not provide
evidence to back up the claim.
Dozens are arrested in West Bank security operations
Emergency responders said five people were injured, some critically, and
were being evacuated to hospitals in Israel. A statement from the responders
said gunfire was still ongoing as they arrived at the scene of the attack near
the Yehuda Junction in the morning.
Two men in their 20s had gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, and one was
unconscious and seriously injured, the responders said.
"We arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still taking place in
the area," said Tzuriel Edri with the response team.
An investigation was underway, authorities said.
Also Friday, the army said soldiers and Israeli security and intelligence
agencies conducted dozens of operations in the West Bank and apprehended dozens
of people, including those affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant
groups. It also said it had located weapons, including M16 rifles and
submachine guns.
Eyal Zamir, the Israeli army's chief of staff, said a "large quantity of
ammunition was found" in a vehicle used by the gunmen.
"This ammunition was intended to be used in a larger-scale attack," he added.
Palestinian life is 'impossible,' says US congressional candidate
Closures of the West Bank are becoming more common. It was the fourth time
in the past month that Israel had imposed restrictions across the territory,
shutting gates and checkpoints connecting Palestinian villages to major roads.
Roads in the territory remain open to Israeli drivers, including settlers,
who can still travel through the area but may face delays.
U.S Democratic congressional candidate Brad Lander, who was in the West Bank
on Friday, said the Israeli army's closure following the attack was an example
of Israel enforcing an apartheid system on Palestinians.
"It's part of the effort to take more control, to make Palestinian life
impossible," Lander, who was detained by Israeli forces on Wednesday, said in
an interview.
Yishai Fleisher, an international spokesperson for Hebron's Jewish community
and a political candidate for the far-right Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power,
party, said Israel had the right to defend itself from a "hostile majority."
"We are tired of the weapons and the brainwashing and incitement that is
next door," he said.
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