Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the closure of the city of Hebron and preparations for a full lockdown of the West Bank following an attack that wounded five people. The attack was allegedly carried out by Hamas terrorists.
“I have instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately impose a closure on the city of Hebron and prepare for a full lockdown of all of Judea and Samaria, beginning today,” Netanyahu said.
“We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who send them, wherever they are and at any time. You have nowhere to hide,” he added.
Earlier, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that two terrorists involved in the attack had been killed. A manhunt for potential additional terrorists is ongoing.
“Following the shooting attack earlier today, IDF soldiers and Israel Border Police officers launched offensive counterterrorism operations in the Hebron area, which has been placed under a cordon, and in additional areas. Over the past week, security forces apprehended ~70 wanted individuals, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad affiliates, and located dozens of weapons, including M16 rifles, Carlo submachine guns & explosive devices. The IDF will continue conducting offensive counterterrorism operations to safeguard Israeli civilians,” the IDF said.
Ambulance services reported that five people were wounded in the attack. Two were in critical condition, one was moderately injured, and two sustained mild injuries.
“This was a serious attack. The soldiers’ swift actions prevented an even more serious attack and further harm to civilians and security forces. A large quantity of ammunition was found in the vehicle used by the terrorists to reach the scene of the attack, which was intended to be used to carry out an attack on a larger scale,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement.
The attack in the West Bank comes just five days before Israel goes to the polls.
