Two Terrorists Killed in Judea Junction Shootout, Five Wounded

Two terrorists were killed and five people were injured in a shooting attack at the Judea Junction near Hebron on Friday. The attackers, who arrived in a stolen vehicle with Israeli license plates and were reportedly affiliated with Hamas in Hebron, opened fire on soldiers from the Home Front Command's Ari Battalion who were manning a temporary checkpoint. The ensuing gun battle lasted approximately 20 minutes.

According to security assessments, the terrorists intended to carry out a larger-scale attack in civilian areas. The rapid response of the soldiers is credited with preventing a more severe incident. The vehicle used by the attackers contained a large quantity of ammunition beyond their personal magazines, reinforcing the belief that they planned a more significant attack.

Among the five injured, two were in critical condition, one in serious condition, and two sustained light injuries. They were evacuated to Shaare Zedek and Hadassah Ein Kerem hospitals in Jerusalem. MDA emergency medical technicians reported entering the scene with an armor-piercing ambulance while firing was still ongoing to rescue the wounded.

Following the attack, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir held a situation assessment with senior commanders. He approved a full lockdown on Hebron and surrounding villages, increased efforts for arrests, and bolstered intelligence gathering. He also ordered reinforcements for the Central Command as needed. Zamir stated that the soldiers' swift action prevented a graver attack and further casualties.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned visit to Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem due to the attack. Security forces, including Duvdevan unit soldiers and aerial assets, conducted extensive searches for additional suspects. A closure was imposed on Hebron and nearby villages, and roads were blocked as part of the security operation.