Two Israeli Soldiers Killed, Three Wounded in West Bank Shooting Attack

The Israeli military announced Friday that two soldiers were killed and three others wounded in a shooting attack that occurred near Hebron earlier that morning. Hebrew media sources reported that the incident unfolded when two assailants emerged from a car and opened fire on soldiers, leading to a firefight. The Israeli military stated that its forces "neutralized" the attackers at the scene. Channel 12 reported that soldiers observed the approaching vehicle before the assailants disembarked and initiated the attack. The network also noted that the incident was captured on camera by a professional photographer, and the army is investigating whether the photographer had prior knowledge of the attackers' intentions. Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a situation assessment meeting with Defense Minister Israel Katz, the head of the Shin Bet security agency, the National Security Advisor, and the commander of the IDF's Central Command. Netanyahu praised the soldiers who prevented a larger attack and issued directives to impose a security cordon around Hebron and prepare for a complete lockdown of the West Bank, referred to by Israelis as Judea and Samaria, effective immediately. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli forces fired live ammunition at two young men at the northern entrance to Hebron, causing them to fall to the ground, with initial reports suggesting their deaths. Eyewitnesses told Wafa that Israeli forces at the "Farsh al-Hawa" checkpoint fired at the two individuals. Large numbers of Israeli soldiers deployed to the area, completely sealing it off and restricting civilian movement.