Hebron Shooting Attack Leaves 6 Settlers Wounded, 2 Perpetrators Dead

A shooting attack near Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Friday resulted in the injury of six Israeli settlers, with two sustaining critical wounds, while the two assailants were killed. Video footage showed the attackers emerging from a vehicle, armed, and running towards an Israeli military checkpoint before opening fire and attempting to take cover.

According to an initial investigation cited by the Israeli army radio, the two armed individuals arrived at the northern entrance of Hebron around 7:30 AM, where an Israeli forces unit had set up a surprise checkpoint. The forces, from the "Harei" battalion, were on high alert as part of routine security checks on vehicles leaving Hebron. The military estimates the assailants, arriving by car, realized they could not pass the checkpoint to reach Route 35, a road used by Israeli civilians, and decided to attack the checkpoint itself.

The assailants exited their vehicle with an M4 automatic rifle and a pistol, using the outskirts of the populated area to hide and open fire on the Israeli forces. The exchange of gunfire lasted over 20 minutes, during which Israeli soldiers were injured. The commander of the company, deputy commander of the battalion, and an officer from the Paratroopers' 101st Battalion arrived at the scene and led forces in encircling and killing the two attackers.

Investigators found a large quantity of ammunition in the assailants' car. The Israeli military believes the attackers planned to leave Hebron and carry out a large-scale attack on Route 35, but their plan was thwarted by the checkpoint. The military stated there were no specific prior warnings or intelligence regarding this particular attack, but the period is considered sensitive due to the olive harvest season and upcoming Israeli elections, with preparations in place for potential incidents.

An Israeli officer noted that "everyone fully realizes there are attempts to carry out operations as the election date approaches." The Shin Bet and military intelligence are investigating whether the cell was local or part of a larger organization, and if it was dispatched by a specific group or external entity. In the coming days, widespread arrests are expected in the Hebron area, and the military will conduct engineering surveys of the assailants' homes. A security cordon has been imposed on Hebron and Dura, restricting entry and exit.