Two Palestinians were killed during a shooting attack near Hebron on 23 October 2026. The incident occurred at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, where a gunfight lasted for more than 20 minutes. Six Israelis sustained injuries during the exchange of fire, according to reports from the scene. Emergency responders confirmed that two of the injured individuals remain in critical condition. The casualties occurred in a violent confrontation that disrupted routine traffic and security operations at the crossing throughout the morning hours.
Details of the Attack
Soldiers from a reserve battalion of the Israeli Home Front Command sustained the injuries reported during the exchange of fire. Magen David Adom medical staff treated the personnel at the scene before transporting them to nearby facilities for further care. The soldiers were stationed at the checkpoint as part of a routine security rotation when the engagement commenced.
Military investigators determined that the attackers arrived at the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in a vehicle bearing yellow Israeli license plates. Security forces cordoned off the area to examine the vehicle as part of the ongoing assessment of the incident. Field reports indicate that the use of the vehicle allowed the assailants to approach the position before the gunfight began on 23 October. The presence of the vehicle, which is commonly used for civilian transport, allowed the attackers to reach the immediate perimeter of the checkpoint before security forces identified the threat and initiated the engagement.
Official Response and Investigation
Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the assailants involved in the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint incident carried a large quantity of ammunition intended for a wider-scale attack. During his assessment of the site, Eyal Zamir remarked, "The plan was much larger." Military investigators are currently examining the items recovered from the vehicle to determine the intended scope of the operation. This forensic analysis includes tracing the origin of the recovered hardware and the specific types of ammunition found within the vehicle. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the shooting as a "bloody and harsh reminder" of the current security situation in the West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security meeting on 23 October to review the military and intelligence response to the incident. The meeting included high-ranking officials from the defense establishment who provided an initial brief on the operational failures and successes encountered during the 20-minute exchange. Following the briefing, the Prime Minister ordered the immediate cancellation of all Likud election activities scheduled across the region. Government officials indicated that the security cabinet would continue to monitor the situation to assess whether further operational adjustments are necessary. Security forces remain deployed around the checkpoint as the investigation into the origins of the weapons and the identities of the attackers proceeds. The area surrounding the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint remains under strict military control, with access limited to authorized personnel as the forensic team completes its work at the site of the gunfight.
