Netanyahu Cancels Likud Election Activities Following Hebron Shooting
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the cancellation of all Likud party election activities for today. This decision follows a shooting incident that occurred early this morning at the northern entrance of Hebron in the occupied southern West Bank. The incident reportedly resulted in the martyrdom of two Palestinians and the injury of six Israeli soldiers.
Israeli army radio stated that the two assailants were residents of Hebron. According to the Hebrew media outlet Walla, initial investigations suggest that two young Palestinians surprised Israeli forces. The shooting began after the soldiers approached them. The Israeli army announced that its Chief of Staff has ordered reinforcements for the central region and approved the establishment of a complete security cordon around the city of Hebron and its surrounding villages. The army also confirmed the implementation of a security belt in Hebron.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also announced that he has instructed security forces to besiege Hebron and completely seal the West Bank. He claimed that Israeli forces prevented a larger attack in the West Bank and vowed to pursue Hamas operatives and their backers “anywhere and anytime.”
In response to the operation, the Hamas movement declared that the Hebron operation carries a clear message to the Israeli regime, stating that resistance will continue and grow stronger until the occupation of Palestinian lands and holy sites ends. Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, described the operation as a natural and legitimate reaction to the crimes of the occupiers and the violent actions of settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. They called for an intensification of confrontation and direct engagement with Israeli forces and settlers using all available means.
