West Bank checkpoint shooting and Israeli closure
A deadly shooting at a West Bank checkpoint killed two Israeli soldiers and left others wounded; Israel responded with a major military operation focused on Hebron, the displacement of Palestinian families, a full lockdown of the occupied West Bank and the closure of all West Bank land crossings on election day. The events came in the final days before Israel's national election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing a heavy response to the attack.
Current state
A full lockdown of the occupied West Bank remains in effect and Israeli military operations are continuing in Hebron after Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint; Palestinian residents have been displaced from Hebron as part of the response.
4 sources · 5 reports · Updated 25 Oct 2026
Developments
- Key development
Israeli forces displaced Palestinian residents from Hebron, with reports citing around 250 families or some 2,000 people, as operations in the city continued.
- Key development
Israel imposed the lockdown and began military operations across the occupied West Bank, including raids, demolitions and detentions in multiple towns.
- Key development
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full closure of the occupied West Bank, an immediate cordon around Hebron, home demolitions and a large-scale military operation in response to the attack.
- Key development
Two suspected Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli military checkpoint near Hebron, killing two Israeli soldiers and wounding at least five people before Israeli forces killed the two suspected attackers.
Earlier coverage
- Israel presses ahead with West Bank operation as election approaches The operation, focused on the city of Hebron, the site of Friday's attack, came as Israel enters the final days before a tense election, which is largely seen as a referendum on current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership and security policies during the past three years of war.
- West Bank: Families forcibly displaced in Hebron More Palestinian families have been displaced in the occupied West Bank as Israeli forces continue operations in Hebron, following a deadly shooting that killed two Israeli soldiers on Friday. With elections scheduled for Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a heavy response to the attack. Morgaene Ayre has the latest.
- Palestinian Gunmen Open Fire on Israelis in the West Bank, Officials Say Five people were wounded in the attack, days before national elections, health workers said. The Israeli military said its soldiers had killed two assailants.