Five people were wounded, including two critically, and two suspected gunmen were killed in a shooting Friday in the southern West Bank, officials said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it responded to a shooting in the Judea Junction area Friday and killed two people it identified as “terrorists.”
Hours after the attack, Israel ordered the army to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank, according to the Associated Press.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency meeting of his Security Cabinet, claiming Hamas was “planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians.”
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“Our brave soldiers thwarted this attack with courage and determination,” Netanyahu said.
Five Israelis were wounded in the shooting, according to The Times of Israel.
Two people were critically wounded and three were in light-to-moderate condition, first responders told the outlet.
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Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency medical service, said it treated two people in critical condition at the scene of the attack.
The identities of the suspected gunmen were not immediately released, but the Israeli army did identify them as Palestinians from Hebron armed with an M16 rifle and a handgun.
Israeli intelligence groups and security forces conducted dozens of raids throughout the West Bank on Friday, apprehending dozens of people, including those who Israeli officials claimed were members of Hamas and affiliated with Islamic Jihad.
The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said a “large quantity of ammunition was found” in a vehicle used by the perpetrators.
“This ammunition was intended to be used in a larger-scale attack,” he said.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
