Full lockdown of occupied West Bank begins

Israeli soldiers shot and killed two Palestinian men near Hebron in the West Bank on Friday morning, injuring at least five others. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full closure of the West Bank starting that day, citing security concerns ahead of Tuesday's Israeli election. The military operation included displacing around 2,200 Palestinians from their homes in Hebron and demolishing buildings in several neighborhoods, drawing criticism from Palestinian officials who described it as collective punishment.

The incident occurred days before a tight election in which Netanyahu faces a challenge to his leadership. Following the attack on Friday, Israeli forces immediately cordoned off Hebron and prepared for a wider lockdown of the West Bank. Over 2,000 people were forced out of their homes in Hebron, with Palestinian officials stating that soldiers announced evacuation orders over loudspeakers late at night, leaving residents little time to prepare or find alternative accommodation.

Palestinian Mayor Yousef al-Ja’bari said hundreds of Israeli raids had taken place since the initial attack by two Palestinian gunmen on an army reserve base, which resulted in the deaths of both attackers and two soldiers. The Palestinian Authority called for international intervention, describing the actions as collective punishment and urging protection for residents.

As of Saturday morning, Israeli forces were still conducting raids, arresting dozens of Palestinians across various towns in the West Bank, further exacerbating tensions between Israeli authorities and local Palestinian communities. Netanyahu likened the current operation to previous ones that involved demolishing hundreds of homes and displacing tens of thousands of people in northern refugee camps in 2025.

The ongoing military presence and restrictions on movement have significantly impacted daily life for Palestinians in Hebron, with many now living outside their homes or displaced within nearby areas. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, amid calls for de-escalation and protection of Palestinian civilians under occupation.