The Israeli Army has killed two Palestinians this Friday after a shooting attack recorded in the south of the West Bank, an incident that has left five injured, including two in critical condition, according to Israeli emergency services.
"Following reports of an armed attack at the intersection of Judea, the troops of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have eliminated two terrorists and continue to inspect the area," the Army has stated, specifying that the incident occurred at a crossing on Route 35, near Hebron.
The Magen David Adom emergency service (Red Star of David) has detailed that its teams have attended to five people, "including two in critical condition." All the injured have been transferred to the Shaarei Zedek and Hadassah Ein Kerem hospitals.
The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, has described what happened as a "difficult morning" and has reiterated his demand for the "dismantling" of the Palestinian Authority. "We cannot allow the existence of a 'terrorist state' in Judea and Samaria," he has stated, referring to a future Palestinian state and using the biblical name to refer to the West Bank.
"They must be dismantled. We must put an end to the shared circulation that both Jews and residents of the Palestinian Authority use. The freedom of movement of the residents of the Palestinian Authority is less important than our right to life," the far-right leader added in a message disseminated on social media.
The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which has not claimed responsibility for the attack, has described it as "a heroic and qualitative operation" that "demonstrates the will of the persevering people" and "is a clear message to the Zionist enemy," according to the Palestinian newspaper 'Filastin'.
"Our resistance will continue and will increase in strength and ferocity until the occupation is expelled from our land and our holy places," the organization has indicated, emphasizing that the attack in the vicinity of Hebron "is a legitimate response to the crimes and brutal attacks" against the Palestinians.
"Our people, firm and determined, will not surrender or yield. They will continue on the path of resistance and rejection of occupation, injustice, and aggression," Hamas has emphasized, insisting that Palestinians "will not lay down their arms until the aggression ceases and the occupation ends."
In this context, the group has called on the Palestinian population to "fully mobilize" and "make the land burn under the feet of the invaders and settlers who have sown chaos in the proud land of the West Bank." "We urge all those who carry arms, as well as our rebellious youth, to direct their bullets towards the chests of the occupiers," it has pointed out.
In the same vein, the Al Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, have urged Palestinians in the West Bank to "increase confrontation and directly combat the occupying forces and the settler gangs by all available means." "The enemy only understands the language of force," it has concluded.