Verified Evidence: resolved · Fact Lock: locked · QA: pass
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the closure of the West Bank after a checkpoint attack, according to reports from the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.

The South China Morning Post reported that suspected Palestinian militants wounded five Israelis before two gunmen were killed in a prolonged shoot-out. The report said Netanyahu stated that Israeli troops had prevented what could have been a major attack.

According to the South China Morning Post, Netanyahu also said the assailants allegedly had a large quantity of ammunition in their vehicle. The supplied reports do not establish the identities or affiliations of the two gunmen.

The Hindu reported that Hamas praised the attack as a heroic operation, called for more and did not claim responsibility. Responsibility for the incident therefore remained unclaimed in the supplied reporting.

The South China Morning Post reported that the closure came days before an Israeli election scheduled for Tuesday. The available reporting does not specify the scope or duration of the closure.

SOURCES

  1. South China Morning PostNetanyahu orders West Bank closure after deadly checkpoint shoot-out
  2. The HinduNetanyahu orders West Bank closure as attack wounds Israelis before election