In brief
At a military checkpoint on the southern edge of Hebron, Israeli security forces shot and wounded five soldiers while killing two suspected Palestinian attackers. The incident, filmed and shared by witnesses, unfolded during a period of heightened tensions, with Jewish settlements targeting Palestinians during the annual olive harvest and Israel edging toward elections. Military officials said the attackers had intended to strike along Route 35 but diverted to the checkpoint when confronted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged a West Bank lockdown, citing security concerns ahead of the vote, and announced a pause in Likud campaign events on election morning.
On 23 October, Israeli security forces reported a gunfight at a military checkpoint on the southern edge of Hebron that left five Israeli soldiers wounded and killed two suspected Palestinian attackers.
Witnesses shared unverified video of the exchange, showing soldiers firing at several gunmen who approached the checkpoint from the direction of the Sabra neighbourhood. The footage, circulated on social media, indicates a brief but intense battle lasting only a few minutes.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the attackers were carrying a large cache of ammunition and had likely planned a larger attack on the nearby Route 35 before being confronted. An IDF spokesperson warned that the attackers had “boasted of intending to strike the highway, which is a key junction for Israeli traffic.”
The incident comes amid increased settler activity in the West Bank. Jewish settlers have been attacking Palestinians during the current olive harvest and shooting at their trucks. Local Palestinian leaders called the attacks a violation of Palestinian security and dignity, and urged the West Bank Governorate to strengthen police presence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has made security a central theme of his campaign, announced that the IDF would prepare for a full lockdown of the West Bank. He said the lockdown would begin on Friday, days before Israel’s general election on 27 October. Netanyahu also noted that Likud would cancel its morning campaign events during the first day of the vote to maintain public safety.
The shooting and government lockdown proposals have drawn international attention. European officials called for restraint and urged all parties to return to dialogue. The Palestinian Authority spokesperson said the attack would “further deepen the cycle of violence” and stressed the need for immediate ceasefire measures.
Local Israeli civilians reported heightened anxiety, while Palestinian residents expressed fear that the escalation could spark broader clashes. Both sides underscored the fragile nature of regional stability as Israel moves toward the election day.
