2,200 displaced as Hebron enters full lockdown

Israeli forces have sealed Hebron, displacing 2,200 residents since a deadly attack on a military base. Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari said the city is under a total closure. Residents reported that soldiers announced evacuation orders via loudspeakers late at night. This left families with little time to prepare or find alternative housing.

The crisis began on Friday when two Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli army reserve base. Both gunmen and two Israeli soldiers died in the engagement. Following the incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank. Al-Ja'bari stated that on Saturday, no one was permitted to enter or leave the city.

Israeli troops conducted raids in at least 15 areas across the region on Saturday. These locations included Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that soldiers arrested approximately 70 Palestinians during these operations. In Hebron, forces bulldozed homes and vehicles near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Soldiers fired a stun grenade at journalists documenting the destruction.

The Palestinian Authority described the military actions as collective punishment. The governing body cited home demolitions and the siege of cities. It urged the international community to intervene to protect residents. Hamas issued a statement calling the operations a campaign that would fuel further outrage. The group blamed the occupation and settlers for the escalation.

Hebron is the most populous governorate in the West Bank. It is home to 200,000 people within the city limits. An additional 600,000 residents live in the surrounding governorate. Activist Issa Amro said the 800,000 people in the region are under siege. He noted that all entrances and exits have been closed since the morning. Amro said there is no safe place for residents to hide inside the city.

The military operations occur days before parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Correspondent Nour Odeh observed that Israeli politicians are capitalizing on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu and his Likud party are currently behind in the polls. Odeh said the coalition is trying to project strength by emphasizing its combat against Palestinians. Netanyahu stated that a big surprise awaits the Palestinian Authority. He did not specify whether he plans to dismantle the organization.