NETANYAHU ORDERS PREPARATIONS FOR WEST BANK CLOSURE

JERUSALEM, OCTOBER 23 /SRNA/ – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered security forces to get ready for a blockade of the entire West Bank following an attack in territory under Israeli control, his office said, after several Israelis were injured in a shooting near Hebron in the West Bank.

The statement said the measure would involve closing all crossings into the Palestinian territory.

"We will pursue Hamas terrorists and those who send them," Netanyahu stated, although it is not yet known whether the two suspected attackers belonged to the group.

Netanyahu had already ordered the closure of crossings into the city of Hebron following a meeting with Defence Minister Israel Katz and Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir.

Israeli authorities earlier announced that several people injured in the attack near Hebron were in critical condition. Two suspected perpetrators, both Palestinians, were killed.

The attack took place just days before Israel’s parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 27.