Israel Tightens Grip: West Bank Crossings to Close Amid Hebron Lockdown and Election Day Security Measures

An Israeli soldier stands guard near the site visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following a shooting incident in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank on October 23, 2026. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)

Israel has announced the closure of all land crossings with the occupied West Bank coinciding with its general election next week. The Israeli army stated early Sunday that Palestinian workers would be prohibited from entering most West Bank areas from Sunday through Monday. A complete closure of crossings into and out of the territory will be enforced on Tuesday, the day of the Israeli vote.

This announcement follows a day after the Israeli army imposed a lockdown in Hebron, leading to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians from their homes. The military has conducted hundreds of raids since a Friday attack by two Palestinian gunmen on an Israeli army reserve base, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers. The two Palestinian assailants were also killed.

Following the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a "full lockdown" of the occupied West Bank. Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that approximately 2,000 individuals had been displaced. "They will not be allowed to return to their neighborhood until we've finished dealing with all the Hamas issues in Hebron," Katz stated in an interview with public broadcaster Kan.

‘Complete blockade’

Hebron’s Mayor Yousef al-Ja’bari informed Al Jazeera that the city of Hebron and several adjacent villages are under a complete blockade. He also reported on Saturday that 2,200 people were forced from their homes by Israeli troops and raids.

An image shows Israeli machinery demolishing a Palestinian house in Hebron, occupied West Bank, on October 23, 2026. (Mussa Qawasma/Reuters)

The Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, has appealed for international pressure on Israel to safeguard the residents of Hebron. Residents reported that soldiers announced forced evacuation orders via loudspeakers late at night, leaving them with minimal time to prepare and few options for relocation.

The PA has characterized Israel’s actions as "collective punishment," citing the demolition of homes, forced displacement of entire neighborhoods, and the "closure and siege of Palestinian cities." Approximately 200,000 Palestinians reside in the city of Hebron, with an additional 600,000 in the Hebron governorate, making it the most populous region in the West Bank.

The Israeli military indicated that the operation is expected to last several days. However, Netanyahu suggested more significant actions were forthcoming, hinting at plans for an operation on a scale not witnessed since Israel occupied the West Bank in 1967.

Netanyahu, who has served as Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is currently engaged in a closely contested race for a new term in Tuesday's vote. Analysts suggest he is attempting to leverage ongoing regional military conflicts and national security concerns to bolster his re-election campaign.