Israel to close West Bank crossings on election day as crackdown escalates

Israel is escalating a massive military operation in the occupied West Bank and sealing all land crossings for Tuesday's legislative elections, acting in response to a gun attack in Hebron on Friday that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The Israel Defense Forces announced a ban preventing Palestinian workers from entering Israeli settlements on Sunday and Monday, followed by a total closure of all land crossings into and out of the territory on election day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tight race in Tuesday's vote, competing in a contest that is widely viewed as a referendum on his leadership and security policies during three years of war.

The military operation has triggered widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian blockade in Hebron. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that about 2,000 residents had been displaced by the operation, while Hebron municipal officials and the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa) reported figures ranging between 2,200 and 2,500 people forcibly removed from their homes in neighborhoods such as Deir Bahha, Ain Deir Baha, and al-Jalda. The Palestinian Authority condemned the actions as collective punishment, pointing to the demolition of homes and businesses, the sealing of all entrances and exits to the city, and the closure of a local mosque. The Israeli military defended the demolitions, stating that the targeted structures posed a security threat or were built illegally in accordance with international law.

Displacement and Blockade in Hebron

The epicenter of the crackdown remains sealed off, leaving roughly 200,000 residents of Hebron and 600,000 in the wider governorate facing severe restrictions. Hebron Mayor Yousef Zuhair Al-Jabari described the blockade People cannot reach or enter the city, and they cannot leave it. The blockade has affected every aspect of life. Residents have been forced to navigate checkpoints on foot, passing sacks of flour and gas canisters through gates, while an elderly man pushed his wife in a wheelchair beside an opening and another family attempted to reach medical appointments. The Israeli military reported operating in more than 400 locations over the weekend, arresting 40 Palestinians alleged to be affiliated with Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, alongside 20 additional detentions across the Hebron Governorate on Sunday.

Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the campaign. B'Tselem condemned Israeli plans to forcibly displace residents and carry out widespread destruction, calling on the international community to intervene immediately. Meanwhile, the military stated that civilians were permitted to temporarily leave the area through designated screening points. Before the outbreak of war following the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack, more than 100,000 Palestinian workers held permits to enter Israel, a number that has since dwindled to a tiny fraction.

Political Stakes and the Upcoming Election

The military crackdown unfolds directly against the backdrop of Tuesday's tense general election. Netanyahu is locked in a tight race. Netanyahu and three members of his right-wing government visited the site of Friday's attack to vow a robust response, with Netanyahu declaring, 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 also threatened a very big surprise for the Palestinian Authority in an interview with i24 television.

Analysts note that Netanyahu is attempting to capitalize on national security fears to bolster his standing among voters concerned with defense and the far right. Local leaders such as Hebron Mayor al-Jaabari asserted that the military operation is driven directly by the elections. The political tension has also fueled domestic opposition. On Saturday, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv for a large anti-government demonstration organized by the October Council, a group founded by families of victims and hostages from the October 7, 2023 attack, demanding accountability and the establishment of a state commission of inquiry.

What Comes Next for the West Bank

The immediate trajectory of the region hinges on the outcome of Tuesday's vote and the duration of the military's footprint in Hebron. Defence Minister Katz confirmed that displaced residents will not be allowed to return to their neighbourhood until we’ve finished dealing with all the Hamas issues in Hebron. Residents have expressed uncertainty over how long the closures will persist. Shadi al-Qawasmi, a displaced Hebron resident, noted The army told us that this area would be closed for 12 days. Now they’re saying 12 days, but maybe they’ll leave the area after two or three days. This may be because of the elections or some political matter no one knows except God Almighty.

Netanyahu has signaled even broader actions, suggesting an operation on a scale not witnessed since the 1967 Mideast war when Israel occupied the West Bank, home to roughly 3 million Palestinians and 540,000 Israeli settlers. With the Palestinian Authority appealing for international pressure and human rights groups demanding halts to home demolitions, the immediate test remains whether the security lockdown will ease after voters cast their ballots on Tuesday or expand into the prolonged offensive warned by leadership.