Five Israelis wounded and two suspected Palestinian attackers killed in West Bank shooting

Israeli security forces have wounded five Israelis and killed two suspected Palestinian attackers following a shooting incident at a military checkpoint in the West Bank city of Hebron, according to Israeli officials. Unverified footage circulating on social media depicts a fierce gun battle between soldiers and gunmen at the checkpoint entrance.

The attack occurs amid rising tensions in the West Bank, where extremist Jewish settlers have been targeting Palestinians during the annual olive harvest, as Israel prepares for its general election in four days.

The Israeli military discovered a substantial amount of ammunition in the attackers' vehicle, suggesting they intended to execute a more extensive assault on the nearby Route 35. However, the gunmen unexpectedly encountered the checkpoint and chose to open fire instead. In response to the incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the military to prepare for a full lockdown of the West Bank, set to commence later on Friday.

The West Bank was already anticipated to be placed under lockdown for the election on Monday and Tuesday, as per Israeli media reports.

Netanyahu affirmed that his Likud party would cancel campaign events for the morning due to the heightened security measures.