Two Israeli soldiers were killed at a Hebron checkpoint four days before the election, and Netanyahu cancelled his campaign events within hours

Two Israeli soldiers were killed in a shooting attack at a military checkpoint near Hebron in the occupied West Bank, just four days before Israel’s general election. As reported by BBC News, the attack led Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel his Likud party’s campaign events scheduled for Friday morning.

Officials say the two suspected Palestinian gunmen were shot dead after a gun battle. Three other Israelis were wounded in the attack, which took place at the entrance to Hebron, and the Israeli military later confirmed the deaths of its soldiers.

Footage verified by the BBC shows a gun battle unfolding between soldiers and the attackers. Unverified CCTV footage also shows two gunmen getting out of a car, armed with what appears to be a handgun and an assault rifle, and opening fire on soldiers before the soldiers returned fire.

The attack quickly became part of the election campaign

The military said it found a large amount of ammunition in the attackers’ vehicle. It believes the gunmen may have been planning a larger attack on the nearby Route 35, but ran into the checkpoint first and opened fire there.

Netanyahu, whose campaign has focused on promising security, ordered the military to prepare for a full lockdown of the West Bank starting later on Friday. He also visited the site of the attack on Friday afternoon, saying Israel is prepared for “extensive action” in the West Bank. The election comes months after Israel was reportedly shut out of Iran talks between Washington and Tehran.

Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partner, Bezalel Smotrich, called for Israel to launch a campaign in the West Bank “exactly like in Gaza or Lebanon.” Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir also pushed for Israel to dismantle the Palestinian Authority.

The calls came a day after Defense Minister Israel Katz accused opposition leaders of undermining the government. He said they were criticizing Netanyahu’s warnings of an attack before the election and would be “responsible” for any future attacks.

Opposition chiefs, including frontrunner Gadi Eisenkot and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, have offered their condolences to those injured. They also praised the troops who killed the attackers.

In the wake of the attack, the Israeli military began raids on the homes of the attackers. Smotrich also said he had ordered the demolition of several Palestinian buildings next to where the attack happened, and Israeli forces commonly demolish the homes of Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis.

The West Bank was already expected to be placed under lockdown for the election on Monday and Tuesday, according to reports. Extremist Jewish settlers have also been targeting Palestinians during the annual olive harvest.

The UN has reported that at least 96 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank since the beginning of the year.