Israel orders Hebron cordon and West Bank operation after two soldiers killed
Hebron cordon and searches
Netanyahu said he ordered residents to evacuate the neighborhood in Hebron where the gunmen lived. Troops were to conduct a house-to-house search for weapons, he said. He also ordered the military to cordon off Hebron, a city of more than 200,000 people, and said a broader operation would follow. The IDF said soldiers were operating in the attackers’ homes and those of other suspects.
Weapons found in vehicle
The military said it found a large quantity of weapons and ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle. It alleged the men were preparing a major attack on civilians. The IDF said the shooters used an M16 rifle and a handgun. After the shooting, it described its actions in the Hebron area as “offensive counterterrorism operations.”
Election campaign interrupted
The operation began shortly before Israel’s election on Tuesday. Netanyahu has made national security a central issue in his campaign for another term. Netanyahu said the shooting was intended to influence the election and referred to a warning he had made weeks earlier about Israel’s enemies preparing attacks to affect the vote. Likud said he met with top security chiefs Friday, and the party canceled its campaign events for the rest of the day.
Key points
- Two soldiers were killed in a shooting by two Palestinian men.
- Netanyahu ordered a Hebron cordon, evacuations and a house-to-house weapons search.
- The IDF said weapons and ammunition were found in the attackers’ vehicle.
- Hamas praised the attack but stopped short of claiming responsibility.