Israel has closed all land crossings in the West Bank as part of a crackdown following the killing of two Israeli soldiers in Hebron. Over 1,200 Palestinians were forced to leave their homes in the city as Israeli forces conduct demolitions and arrests. The closures come days before Israel's election, with the military restricting the movement of Palestinian workers and residents.
The Israeli military has banned the entry and exit of Palestinian workers throughout Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones, on election day. The operation follows a shooting incident where two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The military has also evacuated about 2,000 residents from the Hebron neighbourhood of the suspects, with no immediate plans to allow them to return.
The crackdown is part of a broader security operation in the West Bank, with Israeli leaders vowing to take strong action against suspected terrorists. The operation is being conducted days before Israel's election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to secure votes from the far right and settlers. The military has sealed off parts of Hebron, restricting movement and conducting searches in areas suspected of hosting weapons.
The Palestinian Authority has called for international pressure on Israel following the incident, with a municipal official stating that additional 1,300 Palestinians may be forced to leave their homes. The operation reflects a broader pattern of Israeli security measures in the region, with rights groups criticizing the use of collective punishment against Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks.