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

Israel has ordered its army to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank following an attack.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had told security forces to cordon off Hebron and be ready to fully shut all of the Palestinian territory.

The orders came after Israel's army said it killed two gunmen and thwarted a "terror attack" that injured several people.

In a statement, Mr Netanyahu said: "I have just concluded a security assessment with the minister of defence, the IDF chief of staff, the director of the Shin Bet, the national security advisor, and the commander of the IDF Central Command.

"It appears that Hamas terrorists were planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians, as evidenced by the large quantities of weapons and ammunition discovered.

"Our brave soldiers thwarted this attack with courage and determination. I commend them for their actions and wish our wounded a speedy recovery.

"I have instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately cordon off the city of Hebron and take additional security measures to prevent terrorist attacks originating from Judea and Samaria.

"Our forces are operating with reinforcements to thwart terrorism and are carrying out extensive waves of arrests.

"We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them, wherever they are and at all times.

"You have nowhere to hide."

The army reported the gunmen carried an M16 rifle and a handgun.

The military has set up roadblocks and closures in Palestinian towns in the area.

Emergency responders said five people were injured, some critically, and were being evacuated to hospitals in Israel.

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A statement from the responders said gunfire was still ongoing as they arrived at the scene of the attack near the Yehuda Junction.

Two men in their 20s suffered gunshot wounds to their lower limbs, one was unconscious and seriously injured, the responders added.

"We arrived at a difficult scene while shooting was still taking place in the area," said Tzuriel Edri with the response team.

The shooting comes as Israeli voters will decide next Tuesday whether to grant Mr Netanyahu yet another term as prime minister - or usher in a new era of Israeli politics.

The election comes three years after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

Israel's government had warned of potential attacks by the country's "enemies" in the lead-up to the election.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, said Friday's attack shows that Israel needs to restrict the Palestinians' freedom of movement in the West Bank.

"The lives of the residents of Judea and Samaria, of the settlers, the lives of the soldiers, the lives of the police officers, the lives of our fighters are a million times more important than freedom of movement," he said.

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