'No Safe Haven': Netanyahu Vows Ruthless Pursuit of Hamas After West Bank Attack
PM Netanyahu warns Hamas has no safe haven after a shooting in Hebron left 5 injured and 2 gunmen dead.
In a stern warning following a violent shooting incident in the South West Bank, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Hamas terrorists and those who direct them have "no safe haven." The announcement came after a terror attack in Hebron left five people injured, two of whom are in critical condition.
Swift Action Prevents Larger Tragedy
The attack was thwarted by the rapid response of Israeli security forces. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), two gunmen were shot dead at the scene. The operation was carried out by a company commander and the deputy commander of the Home Front Command’s Ari Battalion, who rushed to the location to neutralize the threat.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the quick intervention of the troops prevented a far more devastating outcome for both civilians and security personnel. Evidence found at the scene suggested the attackers had planned a much larger operation.
“A large quantity of ammunition was found in the vehicle in which the terrorists arrived at the scene of the attack, which was intended to be used to carry out a larger-scale attack,” Zamir told the Times of Israel.
The gunmen were found to be armed with a pistol and an M16 rifle.
Security Crackdown and Lockdowns
Following a high-level situation assessment with the Minister of Defence, the Head of the Shin Bet, the Head of the National Security Council, and the Commander of Central Command, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered immediate and stringent security measures.
The Prime Minister's directives include:
- An immediate closure of the city of Hebron.
- Preparations for a full lockdown across all of Judea and Samaria.
- Enhanced operational strength to thwart further terrorism.
- Extensive waves of arrests to root out terror cells.
Netanyahu praised the "heroic fighters" who acted with determination to stop the attack and expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery for the wounded.
Political Fallout and Demands
The incident has sparked intense political reactions within Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took a hardline stance, calling for the total dismantling of the Palestinian Authority. Ben Gvir argued that the authority must be demilitarized and its terror infrastructure completely wiped out before it is "too late."
The attack occurs at a highly sensitive time, coming just five days before Israel's elections. In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Netanyahu has directed the cancellation of all planned political events for the morning on behalf of the Likud Party.