Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ordered Israeli security forces to impose an immediate closure on Chevron on Friday following the deadly terrorist shooting at Yehuda Junction, warning that the Hamas-affiliated gunmen responsible had apparently been preparing a much larger attack against Israeli civilians.

The prime minister issued the directive after consulting with Israel’s senior defense and intelligence officials, as investigators uncovered evidence indicating that the two terrorists had been carrying enough ammunition to carry out an attack considerably more extensive than the shooting at the military checkpoint.

Two Israeli soldiers, Staff Sergeant Ron Yonatan Roytman, 23, of Ashkelon, and Sergeant Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, of Hod Hasharon, were killed in the attack. Three additional soldiers were lightly wounded. The two terrorists were eliminated following a prolonged exchange of gunfire.

Netanyahu convened a security assessment with Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the head of the Shin Bet, the national security adviser, and the commander of the IDF Central Command to review the attack and determine the military’s response.

“I have just concluded a security assessment with the Minister of Defense, the IDF Chief of Staff, the Director of the Shin Bet, the National Security Advisor, and the Commander of the IDF Central Command,” Netanyahu stated.

The prime minister said that the weapons and ammunition recovered from the terrorists pointed to preparations for an attack intended to claim numerous civilian lives.

“It appears that Hamas terrorists were planning a major attack aimed at murdering innocent civilians, as evidenced by the large quantities of weapons and ammunition discovered,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu credited the soldiers who confronted the gunmen with preventing the attackers from reaching their intended targets and inflicting even greater casualties.

“Our brave soldiers thwarted this attack with courage and determination. I commend them for their actions and wish our wounded a speedy recovery.”

The IDF’s preliminary investigation found that the two gunmen had traveled from Chevron in a vehicle carrying a substantial supply of ammunition. They were armed with an M4-style assault rifle and a handgun, while an additional container filled with ammunition was discovered inside their vehicle.

Military investigators believe the attackers had intended to reach Route 35, a major roadway connecting the Chevron area with central Israel, where they planned to target civilians. Their plans were apparently disrupted when they encountered a temporary checkpoint operated by soldiers from the Home Front Command’s Ari Battalion.

Unable to continue toward their intended destination, the terrorists reportedly left their vehicle and began shooting at the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint.

The gun battle unfolded at close range and continued for more than 20 minutes, with additional security personnel rushing to the area as the soldiers returned fire.

Both terrorists were eventually eliminated. The IDF said the soldiers’ resistance prevented the attackers from continuing toward their intended civilian targets.

The terrorists were subsequently identified as Mohammad Jaaba and Firas Jaaba, both 27-year-old residents of Chevron and members of the same family. Hamas praised the shooting, although its precise organizational role in directing the attack had not been independently established.

The soldiers involved in the confrontation belonged to the Ari Battalion, a recently established unit of the IDF Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade that was conducting its first operational deployment in Yehuda and Shomron.

Following the shooting, military commanders ordered additional troops into the area and established roadblocks around Chevron and neighboring communities. Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth directed forces to expand the restrictions as security personnel searched for possible accomplices and additional threats.

The government also instructed the military to prepare for the possibility of a broader closure throughout Yehuda and Shomron, particularly as Israel approaches Tuesday’s Knesset elections.

Netanyahu confirmed that he had authorized immediate restrictions around Chevron along with further measures aimed at preventing additional attacks.

“I have instructed the IDF and security forces to immediately cordon off the city of Hebron and take additional security measures to prevent terrorist attacks originating from Judea and Samaria,” he stated.

The prime minister said Israeli forces were being reinforced and that counterterrorism operations were continuing across the region.

“Our forces are operating with reinforcements to thwart terrorism and are carrying out extensive waves of arrests,” he said.

The heightened security measures come amid concerns that additional attacks could be attempted in the days leading up to the elections. Security officials have also been examining whether the two gunmen operated independently or received assistance from a wider terrorist network.

The discovery of the ammunition stockpile has become a central focus of the investigation, strengthening the military’s assessment that the shooting at the checkpoint was an unintended confrontation that prevented a potentially deadlier attack elsewhere.

Concluding his statement, Netanyahu issued an unequivocal warning to Hamas operatives and those responsible for organizing attacks against Israelis.

“We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who sent them, wherever they are and at all times.”

“You have nowhere to hide.”

{Matzav.com}