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Five people were wounded, two seriously, in a terrorist shooting attack near the Yehuda Junction in the Hebron area of Judea on Friday morning.
Two Arab terrorists who opened fire were killed, the Israel Defense Forces said. Large numbers of IDF troops were dispatched to the scene following initial reports of the shooting, setting up roadblocks and launching a manhunt for the assailants.
The attack came as the military went on heightened alert ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election. The IDF has reinforced its forces in Judea and Samaria with an additional regular brigade as part of preparations for the election period.
The IDF imposed a closure on Hebron and cordoned off several surrounding villages following the attack as troops continued searches in the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to impose a cordon on Hebron and a closure across Judea and Samaria at least until after the Oct. 27 elections.
‘You have nowhere to hide’
Netanyahu said he had instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately impose a cordon on Hebron and prepare for a full closure of Judea and Samaria beginning Friday.
“I commend our heroic soldiers who acted decisively and prevented a major attack, and I wish our wounded a speedy recovery,” Netanyahu said. “Our forces are operating with increased strength to thwart terrorism and are carrying out extensive waves of arrests.”
The prime minister vowed that Israel would pursue Hamas terrorists and those who send them “everywhere and at all times,” adding, “You have nowhere to hide.”
Zamir said a large quantity of ammunition was found in the terrorists’ vehicle, indicating that they had intended to carry out a larger-scale attack.
“This was a serious terrorist attack,” Zamir said. “The soldiers’ rapid response prevented an even more serious attack and further harm to civilians and security forces.”
The two terrorists, both 27-year-old Hebron residents, were killed by soldiers from the Home Front Command’s Ari Battalion. One of the attackers was believed to be affiliated with Hamas, according to Kan 11. The terrorists were armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun.