Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday ordered a “full lockdown” of the occupied West Bank after Israeli forces killed two Palestinians accused of carrying out a shooting attack near Hebron. The attack injured at least five people, including two who were in critical condition, according to Israel’s emergency service.

Netanyahu’s office said he had instructed the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to “impose a closure” on Hebron and prepare for a “full lockdown” across the West Bank from Friday. The government did not provide further details about the restrictions.

Following an emergency meeting with his Security Cabinet and senior military and security officials, Netanyahu blamed Hamas for the attack. He said the group was “planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians.” He also referred to “large quantities of weapons and ammunition discovered” without providing further details.

“Our brave soldiers thwarted this attack with courage and determination,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “I commend them for their actions and wish our wounded a speedy recovery,” he added. The identities of the two Palestinians killed were not immediately known.

The Israeli military said the alleged attackers carried an M16 rifle and a handgun. It added that “numerous” soldiers would operate in the area after the incident. Magen David Adom said it received reports of multiple casualties near Yehuda Junction, close to Hebron, at around 7:15 am local time.

The lockdown comes days before Israel’s election next Tuesday, which is widely seen as a test of Netanyahu’s leadership following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks. Netanyahu has focused his campaign on Israeli security and repeatedly warned of potential threats from the country’s enemies.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, to be dismantled. “There cannot be a situation where, within Judea and Samaria, we have a state of terror,” he said on X. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also called for a major military campaign to “dismantle the Palestinian authority, collect weapons, and eliminate terrorists — just as in Gaza and Lebanon.”

The West Bank has witnessed rising settler violence and military activity, particularly during the ongoing olive harvest. Palestinians, activists and American nationals have faced attacks and detentions. New York congressional candidate Brad Lander was detained earlier this week alongside activists and American rabbis.

The United Nations recorded at least 160 settler attacks linked to the olive harvest during the first two weeks of October. It said many occurred “under the protection of, or with the participation of, Israeli forces.” Netanyahu’s government has supported settlement expansion despite international criticism. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is among global officials who have described settler violence as terrorism.