Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael SecurityFollowing the incident – where two Israelis and two Palestinians were killed – the IDF imposed a full closure on Nablus and nearby villages. The army said that it conducted 'targeted operation' at a Nablus hospital, where two Palestinians wounded in the clashes had been evacuatedShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeIDF forces in the West Bank's Tell, Friday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitIDF forces in the West Bank's Tell, Friday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's Unit04:44 PM • July 24 2026 IDTThe Israeli military announced on Friday that it is reinforcing troops in the West Bank ahead of a sweeping operation, following clashes between Israelis and Palestinians near Nablus in which two Israelis and four Palestinians were killed, and amid preparations for a possible escalation with Iran.The Israelis killed during the shooting have been identified as Benayahu Mellet, 32, a member of the Havat Gilad outpost's security team, and Major Yuval Ezra, 27, from Herzliya. The Palestinian Health Ministry said four Palestinians were also wounded by Israeli gunfire on Friday, three of them critically or seriously, while Israeli medics reportedaThe army said that forces completed a "targeted operation" at a hospital in Nablus, where two Palestinians wounded in the clashes had been evacuated. The soldiers arrested the two Palestinians and transferred them to security forces.A security camera photo circulating on Palestinian media appears to show an Israeli soldier in a hospital in Nablus, following clashes in the area, Friday. Credit: Use in accordance with Section 27A of the copyright lawA security camera photo circulating on Palestinian media appears to show an Israeli soldier in a hospital in Nablus, following clashes in the area, Friday. Credit: Use in accordance with Section 27A of the copyright lawThe IDF says there are currently 126 outposts in the West Bank that the military is struggling to protect, and that it therefore decided two weeks ago to withdraw troops from other fronts – Lebanon and Gaza – and redeploy them to the West Bank. Haaretz Podcast'An extreme right-wing Israel can't just pour billions into PR and expect its U.S. image to improve'Haaretz Podcast'An extreme right-wing Israel can't just pour billions into PR and expect its U.S. image to improve'total-- : --time0:00Following the incident in the village of Tel, the military imposed a full closure on Nablus and has launched a large-scale operation in the city and nearby villages, according to Palestinian reports.A curfew was also imposed on the villages of Burin and Tel, and the army ordered a restriction on soldiers leaving their bases throughout the area where the shooting occurred.Central Command chief Avi Bluth in the village of Tell, Friday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitCentral Command chief Avi Bluth in the village of Tell, Friday. Credit: IDF Spokesperson's UnitPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said they have instructed the IDF to accelerate the legalization of farms and outposts in the West Bank and establish new ones following recent clashes in the Nablus area. Following a meeting of the security cabinet's limited forum, Netanyahu and Katz said they also ordered the demolition of the home of the Palestinian who allegedly shot and killed Benayahu Mellet, and directed the military to carry out an "intensive operation" in Palestinian villages they identified as centers of militant activity.Defense Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu and Zamir Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPODefense Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu and Zamir Credit: Maayan Toaf/GPOThe measures include weapons seizures, revoking work permits for Palestinians, reinforcing IDF forces across the West Bank, and increasing separation between Israeli and Palestinian traffic routes through checkpoints and road restrictions.Military officials have expressed concern over Palestinian security committees established to protect residents from settler violence. According to the military, 70 such committees have been formed across the West Bank.The army is also concerned that the upcoming Palestinian elections could further increase tensions. Over the past week, IDF forces have arrested more than 80 wanted Palestinians in the West Bank, including stone throwers, firebomb throwers and residents identified with Hamas.A wave of retaliatory settler attacks has been reported in the area, including raids in the Palestinian villages of Jit and Burin and an arson attack in nearby Far'ata. The Palestine Red Crescent reported that two people were wounded; one was shot in the hand and the other was struck by a stone in the head.A video showing the incident in Tell village near Nablus, Friday.According to the IDF, a group of Israelis was "hiking" near Tell – without military approval – when they encountered Palestinians near the village mosque who attacked them. The military said troops arrived at the scene, along with the security officer of the nearby Havat Gilad farm outpost. Palestinians then seized the officer's weapon and opened fire on the group, according to the IDF.However, footage from the incident shows an armed man standing near a group of people, with Israeli soldiers behind him who do not appear to detain him.In the NewsIDF Readies for Sweeping West Bank Operation After Deadly Clashes Near NablusIran Rejects Reported Trump Truce as U.S. Completes 13th Night of StrikesTwo Israelis, Four Palestinians Killed in Shooting After West Bank Clashes EruptInspired by Settlers, Young Israeli Leftists Put the Conflict on Election Agenda'We Had a Powerful Experience as Friends, Unlike Anything I Had Experienced'Remembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIThe Most Optimistic Israeli in Jerusalem Is Leaving the CountryAs Ground Invasion Looms, U.S. and Iran Want Wild-card Israel Out of the FightThe Original Ozempic Society of Ancient RomeBetween Messi and Milei: How Argentina Became Israel's Team at the World Cup'Choose Hope': Natalie Portman Backs Arab-Jewish Party Ahead of Israeli ElectionHélène Cixous: 'I Accept Israel's Existence, but I Don't Identify With It'