On Sunday, the Israeli military escalated its operations in the occupied West Bank, imposing severe movement restrictions as Israel approaches its elections. These actions follow a deadly gun attack on Friday in Hebron, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others.
Since the attack, hundreds of Palestinians have been displaced. The Hebron municipality reports that over 2,200 people, including nearly 200 children under 18, have been forced from their homes. All city entrances and exits have remained closed, affecting daily life, especially in the areas of Deir Bahha and Al-Jalda.
Hebron Mayor Yousef Zuhair Al-Jabari highlighted the widespread impact, stating, “People cannot reach or enter the city, and they cannot leave it. The blockade has affected every aspect of life.” The military’s operation includes raiding homes and restricting press access.
According to the Israeli military, operations occurred at over 400 locations over the weekend, resulting in the arrest of 40 individuals linked to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Restrictions impacted Palestinian workers, who were barred from entering Israeli settlements for work on Sunday and Monday, with crossings into Israel closed until after Tuesday’s elections.
These elections are seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership and security policies. Netanyahu faces pressure to show strength against Palestinian attacks, aiming to boost his image regarding security concerns. This year, attacks in the West Bank have claimed the lives of six Israelis, while 112 Palestinians have been killed, as reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Friday’s attack incited outrage in Israel, with Netanyahu and government officials pledging strong retaliation. From the site of the attack, Netanyahu stated, “We warned a few weeks ago about attempts by our enemies to harm us, our citizens and our soldiers ahead of the election. We will act to destroy this place.”
Netanyahu, currently seeking reelection with President Trump’s endorsement, addresses a security-conscious electorate. The West Bank, home to roughly 3 million Palestinians and 540,000 Israeli settlers, was occupied by Israel during the 1967 Mideast war. Hebron remains a focal point due to its Jewish settlements amid a densely populated Palestinian area under military protection.