Israel Orders Army to Prepare Full West Bank Closure After Shooting

A shooting near Hebron in the occupied West Bank prompted Israel to order preparations for a full closure of the territory on October 23. South China Morning Post described the incident as a checkpoint shoot-out involving suspected Palestinian militants.

The injury count remained unclear. South China Morning Post reported five Israelis wounded, while Middle East Eye reported six injured settlers, including two critically wounded.

On October 23, South China Morning Post reported that two gunmen were killed after a prolonged exchange of fire. Business Line - Home reported that Israel's army said it had killed two gunmen and thwarted a "terror attack" that injured several people.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had prevented a "major attack," according to Deutsche Welle. That characterization came from Netanyahu, rather than an independent account of what the attackers intended.

Netanyahu's office instructed security forces to immediately cordon off Hebron, The Independent reported. The response also included an order for the army to prepare for a full West Bank closure, according to Sky News.

The clearest confirmed step is the order to prepare. Sky News described preparations for a full closure, while Deutsche Welle described Netanyahu as saying Israel was shutting down the occupied West Bank. The supplied reports do not establish that a territory-wide closure has already taken effect.

The Hebron cordon was ordered immediately, according to The Independent. The coverage does not specify its boundaries or how it would operate.

The next issue is whether the preparation order becomes an implemented closure across the West Bank. The supplied coverage leaves the timing, scope and duration unresolved, as well as any exceptions to the restrictions.

A confirmed casualty count is also pending in these reports, which give different totals for the Israelis wounded.