Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel’s military is prepared to launch a “large-scale operation” in the occupied West Bank, with plans for a full lockdown following a deadly shooting in Hebron.

The announcement came after Israeli forces killed two Palestinians during a gun battle on Friday. The Israeli military said two Israeli soldiers were also killed and three others injured in the incident.

The developments have heightened fears of further escalation across the occupied Palestinian territory, where movement restrictions already affect residents in several cities, villages and refugee camps.

Al Jazeera correspondent Nida Ibrahim, reporting from Al Bireh, said Israeli forces had begun tightening restrictions around Palestinian communities, with checkpoints closed and vehicles turned back following news of the attack.

She warned that a wider lockdown could further prevent Palestinians from travelling to work, attending school and accessing essential services.

According to Ibrahim, Israeli forces have established checkpoints, gates and earth barriers at the entrances and exits of numerous communities, limiting movement between towns and villages.

The shooting has also triggered political reactions in Israel, with politicians using the incident to emphasise security concerns ahead of upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah described the attack as a response to what it called Israel’s ongoing actions against Palestinians. The group also condemned settlement expansion and demolitions in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The incident comes amid wider regional tensions, with international officials calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that renewed confrontation between the United States and Iran would have serious consequences, including potential increases in global energy prices.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also stressed that diplomacy remains the only way to prevent the conflict from spreading.

As Israel considers an expanded military operation and tighter restrictions, concerns are growing over the potential humanitarian impact on Palestinians. The full scope and duration of the proposed operation and lockdown remain unclear.

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