West Bank: Israel prepares for “complete lockdown”.

ap | The Israeli government has ordered the military to prepare for a complete closure of the West Bank. Security forces have been asked to immediately seal off the city of Hebron and make preparations for a complete closure of the entire West Bank from Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

The orders came after the Israeli army said it had killed two armed attackers and foiled a terrorist attack near Hebron in the West Bank. At least five people were injured. According to the military, the two attackers had an M16 rifle and a handgun with them. No further information was given about the target of the alleged attack. There was initially no information about the identity of the two people killed or the injured.

The military set up roadblocks and cordoned off Palestinian towns in the region. Emergency responders reported arriving at the scene as gunfire continued. The five injured people were taken to Israeli hospitals. Two men in their twenties suffered gunshot wounds to their legs, and another injured man was unconscious and seriously injured, rescue workers said.

The shots came a few days before Israel's parliamentary elections next Tuesday. Voters will decide whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will continue in office.