// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Two Israeli soldiers killed in attack by suspected Palestinian gunmen in West Bank
Photos of one of the suspected attackers were shared by AFP news agency
Two Israeli soldiers have been killed in a shooting by two suspected Palestinian attackers in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military says.
Three Israelis were wounded in the attack before the gunmen were shot dead, officials say. It happened at a military checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Hebron.
In response, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to prepare for a full lockdown of the West Bank, beginning later on Friday.
The attack comes at a time of high tensions, with extremist Jewish settlers targeting Palestinians during the annual olive harvest, and Israel's general election taking place in four days time.
Footage verified by the BBC shows an intense gun battle between soldiers and the gunmen.
The Israeli military said it had found a large quantity of ammunition in the attackers' vehicle, and that they believe the gunmen had intended to carry out a much larger attack on the nearby Route 35, but ran into the checkpoint - so instead decided to open fire there.
Unverified CCTV footage shows two gunmen exit a car armed with what appears to be a handgun and an assault rifle and start firing on soldiers at the checkpoint, before coming under return fire.
The attack has already begun to influence the ongoing election campaign, with Netanyahu - who has built his campaign on the promise of security - saying that his Likud party would cancel campaign events which had been set for Friday morning.
He also visited the site of the attack on Friday afternoon, saying Israel is ready for "extensive action" in the West Bank.