Story perspectives

Netanyahu Orders Full West Bank Lockdown After Route 35 Attack

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 1:59 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Two Palestinian gunmen attacked a Hebron-area checkpoint, killing themselves and wounding five, two critically.
Israeli officials said the gunmen planned a larger assault on Route 35, leading Netanyahu to order a full West Bank lockdown.
Netanyahu convened an emergency security cabinet meeting and cancelled Likud campaign events that morning.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered immediate demolition of several illegal Arab structures near the attack site.

History

Historical Context

In February 1994, American-Israeli extremist Baruch Goldstein opened fire on worshippers at Hebron’s Cave of the Patriarchs, killing 29 Palestinians and sparking a two-week curfew and violent reprisals. The massacre hardened Israeli security policy and fueled settlement tensions that persist today. Recently, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s emergency cabinet ordered a West Bank lockdown after gunmen attacked a Hebron checkpoint, echoing the 1994 crackdown.

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Story summary

Two Palestinian gunmen attacked a Hebron-area checkpoint, killing themselves and wounding five, two critically.
Israeli officials said the gunmen planned a larger assault on Route 35, leading Netanyahu to order a full West Bank lockdown.
Netanyahu convened an emergency security cabinet meeting and cancelled Likud campaign events that morning.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich ordered immediate demolition of several illegal Arab structures near the attack site.

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