Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered security forces to prepare for a full lockdown across the occupied West Bank following a deadly shooting near Hebron that left two Palestinians dead and five Israelis injured, including two in critical condition. After holding an emergency security meeting with senior military and intelligence officials, Netanyahu said additional forces had been deployed across the region to prevent further attacks. He praised the soldiers who responded to the incident and stated that Israeli authorities would continue operations against those believed to be responsible, while also accusing Hamas of involvement.

According to the Israeli military, the shooting took place early Friday morning near a temporary checkpoint on Route 35 outside Hebron. Officials said two armed Palestinians arrived in a vehicle carrying an assault rifle and a pistol before opening fire after reportedly failing to reach their intended destination. Israeli forces exchanged gunfire with the attackers for more than 20 minutes before both were killed. The military said weapons and a large quantity of ammunition recovered from the vehicle suggested that a larger attack may have been planned, and investigations are underway to determine whether the gunmen acted independently or received support from a wider militant network.

The incident has further escalated tensions in the occupied West Bank, prompting Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to renew calls for dismantling the Palestinian Authority. He argued that stricter movement restrictions between Israeli settlements and Palestinian Authority-controlled areas were necessary for security. Meanwhile, Israeli security agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, while additional troops have been deployed across the West Bank as authorities carry out arrests and heightened security operations in an effort to prevent further violence.