2,200 Hebron residents displaced as Israel imposes full West Bank lockdown
Military raids across at least 15 areas follow the killing of two Israeli soldiers, prompting the Palestinian Authority to call the measures collective punishment.
By Jason Kovalenko ·
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank on Friday, two days after two Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli army reserve base and killed two soldiers. The order has triggered a series of military operations that have displaced thousands of residents and tightened controls on movement across the territory.
In Hebron, Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari stated that 2,200 people have been forced out of their homes since the initial attack. He reported that hundreds of raids occurred starting Friday, with residents describing late-night evacuation orders delivered over loudspeakers. By Saturday, al-Ja'bari said the city was sealed, preventing residents from entering or exiting the area.
Israeli forces conducted operations in at least 15 locations on Saturday, including Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these raids. In Hebron, soldiers targeted journalists documenting the demolition of homes near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint by firing a stun grenade at them.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, labeled the military response as collective punishment. It cited the closure of Palestinian cities and the forced displacement of entire neighborhoods. The PA urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect residents. Hamas also issued a statement, claiming the escalations by the occupation and settlers would fuel further outrage.
Hebron is the most populous governorate in the West Bank, with a population of 200,000 in the city and 600,000 in the surrounding governorate. Local activist Issa Amro described the 800,000 residents as being under siege, with all entrances and exits closed since Saturday morning. He noted that there is no safe place for civilians to hide inside the city.
The military actions are occurring three days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Correspondent Nour Odeh observed that politicians are capitalizing on the attack, with Netanyahu and his Likud party trailing in the polls. Netanyahu did not specify whether he intends to dismantle the Palestinian Authority but told reporters that a big surprise awaits the organization.
