Footage from a shooting attack near Judea Junction outside Hebron in the southern West Bank shows an intense exchange of fire between two Palestinian gunmen and Israeli security forces on Friday, October 23. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the suspects, both 27-year-old residents of Hebron, were armed with an M-16 rifle and a handgun when they opened fire near a military checkpoint. The gun battle lasted approximately 20 minutes, ending with Israeli troops killing both attackers. Five Israelis were wounded in the incident, including two who were initially reported in critical condition. Israeli military officials said ammunition discovered in the suspects’ vehicle suggested they may have been planning a larger attack targeting civilians along Route 35.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered security forces to cordon off Hebron and prepare for a broader closure of the West Bank as authorities intensified security operations ahead of Israel’s October 27 parliamentary election. Israeli forces also launched searches and arrests in the area while investigators examined whether the gunmen acted alone or received assistance from a wider militant network. The incident has heightened security concerns across the territory, with officials warning of the possibility of further attacks during an already tense period. Although the military believes its response prevented a potentially larger assault, the investigation into the suspects’ intentions and possible connections remains ongoing.