Photographs taken by an AFP photographer during Friday morning's deadly terror attack near Chevron sparked questions about how he managed to capture detailed images of the gunmen while the shooting was still unfolding. Israeli police have since clarified that the photographer is not suspected of having advance knowledge of the attack.

The shooting occurred on October 23 near Tzomet Yehuda, outside Chevron, where two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli soldiers. Two soldiers were killed and three others wounded before security forces shot and killed both attackers.

Images captured by Hazem Bader, a veteran photographer working with the French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), showed the armed attackers during the confrontation and Israeli security personnel responding to the scene.

The photographs quickly attracted attention, prompting reports in Israeli media questioning whether the photographer had received advance information about the attack.

However, Israeli police officials subsequently clarified that no such suspicion had emerged. The IDF also informed AFP that it was not conducting an investigation into the photographer.

According to AFP, Bader was traveling from Chevron toward Beit Jala to cover a separate assignment involving the Palestinian olive harvest when he encountered the shooting.

Bader said he noticed people running near the checkpoint and, after realizing that gunfire was underway, positioned himself behind his vehicle and nearby trucks for protection. Wearing protective equipment, he began photographing the confrontation as it unfolded.

AFP defended its photographer's account, while the Foreign Press Association rejected allegations suggesting that he had advance knowledge of the attack.

Separately, Israeli security authorities launched an investigation into the deadly shooting itself, including whether the attackers acted independently or received assistance from a larger terror network.

The attack prompted additional security operations in the Chevron area as authorities continued examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

While the photographs initially raised questions, authorities have not presented evidence that Bader or AFP had prior knowledge of the attack.