Israeli forces are pressing ahead with a large-scale military operation in the West Bank city of Hebron, sealing off the city and restricting movement after a deadly gun attack killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The crackdown comes just two days before Israel’s national election, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security record under intense scrutiny.
According to officials, Israeli troops have searched hundreds of locations across Hebron and arrested at least 40 Palestinians since the operation began. The Hebron municipality reports that more than 2,600 residents have been displaced, with businesses and a mosque forced to close as the military imposes sweeping restrictions on movement in and out of the city.
The Israeli military said the operation was launched in direct response to Friday’s gun attack, which took place at a checkpoint in Hebron. After the attack, soldiers found weapons in the gunmen’s car, indicating the assailants may have been planning to target Israeli civilians, according to the military.
As part of the security measures, all land crossings into the West Bank are being closed during Tuesday’s election, and Palestinian workers with permits are barred from entering Israeli settlements for work on Sunday and Monday. The military said these restrictions are intended to prevent further attacks and ensure security during the election period.
Hebron Mayor Yousef Zuhair Al-Jabari confirmed that all entrances and exits to the city remain sealed, with the most intense operations focused on the neighborhoods of Deir Bahha and Al-Jalda. The ongoing searches and demolitions have left hundreds of families without homes, adding to the humanitarian strain in the city.
The operation comes amid a surge in violence in the West Bank, where six Israelis have been killed in attacks this year, according to official figures. The current escalation is widely seen as a critical test of Netanyahu’s handling of security, an issue that has dominated the election campaign following three years of conflict and instability in the region.
Palestinian officials and local residents have condemned the operation, describing it as collective punishment and warning of worsening humanitarian conditions. Israeli authorities maintain that the measures are necessary to prevent further violence and protect civilians ahead of the vote.
With the Israeli election set for Tuesday, the full impact of the West Bank operation and the ongoing restrictions remains uncertain. Authorities have not indicated when the lockdown in Hebron may be lifted, and tensions in the region continue to run high as both sides brace for the days ahead.
The image accompanying this article is an AI-generated illustrative depiction inspired by the actual scene of the event.
