Israel announced that all land crossings with the West Bank will be closed on election day, October 27, as it intensifies security measures following recent violence. The Israeli military stated that Palestinian workers will be barred from entering Israeli communities and industrial zones throughout Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley for the day. This move comes amid heightened tensions after a deadly attack at a checkpoint near Hebron, where two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others wounded.
The security operation escalated over the weekend, with Israeli forces conducting raids across 40 areas in the West Bank. The military reported detaining approximately 40 suspects linked to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, attributing the measures to tackling militant activity. During the raids, Israeli troops entered the occupied city of Hebron, displacing around 2,000 residents. The Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that those displaced would not be allowed to return until the military resolves issues related to Hamas in the area. A local spokesman for Hebron’s municipality estimated the number of displaced people at 2,600, including 250 families affected by home demolitions.
The military presence in Hebron has left neighborhoods deserted, with streets empty except for military vehicles. Some residents, like Higazi Shawer Al Tamimi, described being given very little time to evacuate their homes, with elderly and ill family members requiring assistance. Palestinian activist Issa Amro condemned the operation as collective punishment, arguing that innocent families are bearing the brunt of political tensions ahead of Israel’s election.
Hamas praised the attack near Hebron, though it did not formally claim responsibility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a robust response, promising an operation on a scale not seen since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967. Netanyahu, seeking a seventh term and facing a tight electoral race, said intelligence suggested Iran and its proxies might attempt to disrupt the elections through violence, warning of disproportionate retaliation. Opposition leader Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu of provoking escalation with Iran as a strategy to delay the vote.
The weekend also saw Israeli airstrikes reported against the Islamic University in Gaza City, with at least three fatalities, although the Israeli military did not officially confirm the strike. Israel maintains nearly daily attacks in Gaza targeting militants and infrastructure linked to Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority has called for international intervention to protect civilians affected by Israeli military actions, underscoring concerns about the humanitarian impact amid the political volatility. At the same time, right-wing Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have endorsed demolitions of structures deemed illegal following the shooting, emphasizing a message of deterrence. The evolving situation reflects mounting security and political challenges as Israel prepares for its national election.