Gunmen Killed Near Hebron After Ambush; Five Injured

Two terrorists were killed Friday morning near the Judea Junction, close to Hebron, after opening fire on security forces. Security footage shows the attackers arriving in a stolen vehicle with Israeli license plates, exiting the car, and initiating a gun battle that lasted approximately 20 minutes. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, held an urgent situation assessment with senior security officials following the attack. During the assessment, Zamir revealed that the terrorists were carrying a large quantity of ammunition intended for a more extensive attack. "This was a severe attack. The swift action of the soldiers prevented an even more serious incident and further casualties among civilians and security forces," Zamir stated, adding that the amount of ammunition found in the vehicle suggested a plan for a much larger-scale attack.

According to assessments presented at the meeting, the two terrorists, believed to be affiliated with Hamas in Hebron, departed the city around 7:20 AM with the substantial ammunition load. They were armed with an M4 automatic rifle and a pistol, and their vehicle contained an additional "bruiser" with more ammunition. Security officials estimate the attackers were on their way to carry out an attack deep within civilian areas when they unexpectedly encountered a checkpoint manned by reserve soldiers from the Home Front Command's Ari Battalion. They immediately opened fire at close range upon exiting their vehicle. The exchange of fire continued as they advanced toward a dominant position.

Security forces near the scene returned fire, neutralizing the two assailants. A paratrooper force from the 101st Battalion, led by the deputy battalion commander, was also dispatched and joined the ongoing combat. The terrorists were eliminated by the deputy commander of the Ari Battalion and the company commander, according to the data presented. Five people were injured in the attack: two critically, one seriously, and two lightly. The wounded were evacuated to Shaare Zedek and Hadassah Ein Kerem hospitals in Jerusalem. An MDA paramedic described arriving at the scene while shooting was still ongoing, entering with a bulletproof ambulance to rescue and treat the injured.

In response to the attack, the Chief of Staff approved a full lockdown on the city of Hebron and surrounding villages. Zamir also ordered intensified efforts for further arrests, strengthened intelligence gathering, and prepared for additional troop deployments in the Central Command as needed. Following the incident, numerous security forces, including Duvdevan unit soldiers and aerial assets, were deployed to the area to search for additional suspects. Simultaneously, a curfew was imposed on Hebron and nearby villages, with roads blocked as part of the security operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held a situation assessment, canceling a planned campaign visit to Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda market.