Israel orders army to prepare to fully close West Bank after 'thwarting terror attack'

Israeli forces have tightened security measures and prepared a full lockdown of the West Bank following a shooting incident in Hebron that wounded five Israeli soldiers. Two Palestinians opened fire at a checkpoint in northern Hebron, leading to a 20-minute exchange of fire. The attackers were killed, and two Israeli soldiers were critically injured.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure of Hebron and preparations for a full lockdown across the West Bank after conducting a security assessment. Israeli forces placed Hebron under a cordon and launched "offensive counterterrorism operations." The Palestinian Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs condemned the Israeli actions, calling them a violation of the sanctity of Islamic holy sites and freedom of worship.

Israeli forces also closed the Ibrahimi Mosque, an endangered Palestinian World Heritage Site, and expelled its staff and custodians. The National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, called for the dismantling of the Palestinian Authority, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded a full-scale military campaign in the West Bank to eliminate terrorist militants.