Netanyahu Orders West Bank Lockdown After Attack Wounds Israelis Ahead of Elections

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a lockdown in the West Bank after a shooting on October 23, 2026, left five Israelis wounded. The attack occurred just days before the Israeli elections, scheduled for Tuesday.

According to officials, two Palestinian assailants opened fire at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint near Hebron. Israeli troops responded by shooting and killing the attackers. Reports indicate that the assailants were armed and carried a significant amount of ammunition in their vehicle.

Netanyahu, facing a competitive election, praised the Israeli soldiers for their quick response, stating they prevented a potentially larger attack. He announced that all political meetings for his Likud party would be canceled in light of the incident.

The Israeli military has launched operations in the Hebron area, conducting raids on the homes of suspects. Netanyahu has instructed security forces to prepare for a full lockdown of the region, known biblically as Judea and Samaria.

In response to the attack, far-right Israeli officials have called for a military campaign in the West Bank, similar to previous actions in Gaza. They aim to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and eliminate perceived threats.

The militant group Hamas, which operates from Gaza, praised the attack, calling it a legitimate response to violence against Palestinians. They encouraged further attacks against Israeli forces.

This incident adds to the rising tensions in the West Bank, where violence has escalated recently, particularly between Israeli settlers and Palestinian farmers. Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October 2023, over a thousand Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli forces or settlers.