West Bank Sealed: 2,200 Hebron Residents Displaced

Two soldiers are dead and 800,000 people are cut off from the outside world.

Israeli forces locked down the West Bank on Saturday after two Palestinian gunmen attacked an army reserve base in Hebron on Friday. Both attackers and the two soldiers were killed in the engagement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the territory in response to the incident.

Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, stated that 2,200 residents were forced from their homes. He reported that hundreds of raids occurred starting Friday. Soldiers announced evacuation orders over loudspeakers late at night, leaving families with little time to prepare. Al-Ja'bari confirmed that the city was sealed on Saturday, preventing residents from entering or leaving.

Israeli operations expanded beyond Hebron. Correspondents documented raids in at least 15 areas, including Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that forces arrested approximately 70 people during these operations. Journalists documenting bulldozing near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron were targeted by a stun grenade.

The Palestinian Authority described the measures as collective punishment. It cited home demolitions and the siege of cities, urging the international community to intervene. Hamas issued a statement claiming the escalation would fuel further outrage. Issa Amro, a Hebron-based activist, noted that all entrances and exits were closed since morning, leaving 800,000 people under siege.

These events unfold days before the October 27 parliamentary elections. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent, said politicians are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She observed that Netanyahu and his coalition are trailing in polls and are presenting a strong stance against Palestinians. Netanyahu declined to specify if he will dismantle the Palestinian Authority but said a big surprise awaits the organization.