Israel News Today: Hamas Shooting Attack Near Hebron Wounds Five as Election Polls Show Netanyahu Bloc Trailing

Two Hamas-linked gunmen ambushed IDF soldiers at the Yehuda Junction near Hebron on Friday morning, wounding five people — two of them critically — before being killed in a 20-minute firefight. The attack comes four days before Israel's general election, as the latest polling shows the opposition widening its lead over the Netanyahu bloc.

Yehuda Junction Attack: What Happened

According to reporting by Walla News and Ynet, fighters from the Ari Battalion — a Home Front Command unit established only this year — had left their post to conduct vehicle checks at a checkpoint near the Yehuda Junction when two gunmen opened fire on them. The exchange of fire lasted approximately 20 minutes. Five people were wounded, two of them critically. Both attackers were killed.

Walla News reports that the gunmen had gathered intelligence in advance, laid an ambush, and identified a weak point in the force's position. Ynet names the two attackers, citing IDF reporting, as Hamouda and Firas Jua'ba, both described as Hamas-linked. The Jerusalem Post confirms their identities and states the military found no other terrorists involved.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, quoted by Arutz Sheva, said the terrorists had planned a far larger attack on civilians and praised the soldiers who intercepted them. Maariv reports that IDF assessments indicate the gunmen's original objective was to strike civilians on Route 35, and that they were only diverted by the military presence. Netanyahu subsequently ordered a full closure of Hebron and reinforced forces in the area amid concerns of further attacks, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Arutz Sheva reports that Judea and Samaria District Police Commander Chief Superintendent Moshe Pinchi conducted a situational assessment and ordered increased vehicle checks across the district following the attack.

Ynet published footage of the scene filmed by paramedic Ofer Ohana, who documented the attack under fire. The report notes that Ohana was himself seriously wounded in a separate shooting incident in Kiryat Arba in 2022.

Questions Over Professional Photographs at the Scene

Walla News raises a separate question arising from the attack: professional photographs of the gunmen at the scene, taken by a photographer working with AFP, prompted questions about whether the photographer had received advance information. Walla reports that police sources clarified "no such suspicion arises," while the IDF stated: "The entire incident is under investigation."

IDF Soldier Charged Over Shooting of Palestinian Woman

In a separate legal development, the Jerusalem Post and Ynet report that an indictment has been filed against a security coordinator from the settlement of Itamar, named by Ynet as Pinchas Shem Tov Ran. According to the indictment, on 18 September he entered the village of Aqraba — outside his designated area of responsibility — ordered a Palestinian couple to stop, and fired at least three times at their vehicle after the driver continued moving. Two bullets struck an 18-year-old woman, seriously wounding her. Prosecutors allege he subsequently attempted to obstruct the investigation. Ran, according to Maariv, maintains he acted in response to an attempted ramming. A publication ban on the case has now been lifted.

Election Polling: Four Days to Vote

With the election four days away, a final Maariv poll published by the Jerusalem Post shows the opposition holding 54 seats against 48 for the Netanyahu bloc. The poll shows opposition leader Eisenkot ahead of Netanyahu in personal ratings, and reports that 60 percent of Israelis favour a unity government.

A Maariv poll reported by Walla News shows Bennett's party gaining, the Netanyahu coalition weakening by three seats relative to the Zionist opposition, and the Arab bloc holding 14 seats. Walla News separately warns of a scenario in which no bloc achieves a decisive majority, and assesses the economic consequences of political deadlock or a repeat election.

Ynet has obtained draft documents outlining what it describes as Eisenkot's "100-day plan" should he win, including a state commission of inquiry as the first priority, alongside measures on cost of living, crime and equality of military service obligations.

A Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth survey of residents of the Gaza border communities and northern border areas finds that three in four say the war will affect their vote. Only 31 percent expressed satisfaction with the government's response to the 7 October massacre, though assessments of the military campaign conducted after that date were more positive.

The Jerusalem Post reports that four underlying trends — rivalries within blocs, polls influencing voter behaviour, and coalition red lines — complicate the picture beyond the headline seat counts.

In an interview with the Jerusalem Post, Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Netanyahu to stand with him on the right and pursue "a full, full right-wing government," saying: "Only that way will we be able to save the State of Israel."

US Planning Options for Iran Strike

Walla News, citing the Wall Street Journal, reports that the US military is preparing strike options against Iran, and that a third aircraft carrier is making its way to the region. Regional mediators are reportedly working urgently to revive nuclear negotiations with Tehran in an attempt to prevent renewed escalation.

Maariv, citing The Atlantic, separately reports that Netanyahu is pressing Donald Trump to launch a further round of strikes on Iran, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is advocating an economic siege. The White House is said to be examining a combination of both approaches, with a possible strike window after the US midterm elections.

Antisemitic Incident: Long Island Synagogue Targeted

Arutz Sheva reports that a man named Azam Khan was arrested on Long Island after allegedly attempting to smash the doors of the Young Israel synagogue with a club and setting fire to a yard sign in an effort to ignite the building. No further details on Khan's motive or current legal status were provided in the report.

Death of Prisoner of Zion Baruch Asher

Arutz Sheva reports the death of Baruch Asher, described as one of the first Prisoners of Zion and a pioneer of the campaign to bring Soviet Jews to Israel. He was 90 years old.

What This Means for Diaspora Jewish Communities

The attack near Hebron will resonate with diaspora communities as a reminder that political uncertainty in Israel does not suspend security threats — the ambush unfolded even as the country's attention is focused on the coming vote. The arrest in Long Island, meanwhile, is a direct concern for Jewish communities in the United States: the targeting of a synagogue with apparent intent to set it alight reflects the threat environment many communities face. The death of Baruch Asher closes a chapter in the history of Soviet Jewry — a cause that galvanised diaspora activism for decades and whose legacy many community members carry personally.

Sources

• Jerusalem Post — Netanyahu orders Hebron sealed off after Hamas terror attack
• Walla News — 20 minutes of firefight prevented a heavier disaster
• Ynet — Two critically wounded at Hebron junction; attack averted
• Walla News — AFP photographer and questions at the scene
• Arutz Sheva — Police to increase vehicle checks after shooting
• Arutz Sheva — Netanyahu: Hamas planned a much larger attack
• Jerusalem Post — IDF soldier indicted for firing on Palestinian vehicle
• Ynet — Security coordinator charged; publication ban lifted
• Jerusalem Post — Netanyahu bloc falls to 48 seats, final Maariv poll
• Jerusalem Post — Four trends shaping Israel's election
• Walla News — Maariv poll: Bennett surges, map shifts
• Ynet — Eisenkot's 100-day plan revealed
• Ynet — Survey: border residents on the war and the vote
• Jerusalem Post — Ben-Gvir interview: Netanyahu should stand with me
• Walla News — US preparing Iran strike options; third carrier en route
• Maariv — Netanyahu pressing Trump on Iran strikes
• Arutz Sheva — Long Island: man attempted to set synagogue on fire
• Arutz Sheva — Prisoner of Zion Baruch Asher passes away aged 90