By The Associated Press

Israel says it killed two gunmen and thwarted a  terror attack  against Israeli civilians. The prime minister's office said Friday it had instructed the army to close the occupied West Bank, where the attack occurred.

The shooting comes as Israeli voters will decide on Tuesday whether to grant Netanyahu yet another term as prime minister, or usher in a new era of Israeli politics. Also ahead of elections, Arab political parties asked Israel's Supreme Court to ban election observers from carrying guns. At least one person was killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza while Palestinians in the enclave reported shortages of bread.

Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Friday. Read our full coverage here.

Israel's army says it killed 2 gunmen, prevented  terror attack 

Israel's military said its soldiers shot and killed two men who had launched an attack near the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank on Friday morning. At least five people were wounded, including some critically.

The army said it prevented a  terror attack against Israeli civilians  and that the gunmen had an M16 rifle and a handgun.

Following the attack, Israel's prime minister's office said it had ordered the army to prepare for a full closure of the West Bank.

Arab political parties ask Israel's top court to ban poll observers from carrying guns

Arab political parties running in Israel's national elections have asked the country's highest court to ban partisan election observers from carrying guns at polling stations.

The petition filed Thursday said the ban was critical to protecting public safety and to guaranteeing a free and fair election next Tuesday. Adalah, an Israel-based legal group, joined the Arab parties in filing it at the Supreme Court.

It came after Jewish parties headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said they planned to send about 2,000 election observers to Arab neighborhoods, alleging voter fraud in the communities.

Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. The handful of Arab-led parties could prove decisiv
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