Israel will close all West Bank crossings on Tuesday's election day as the Hebron crackdown displaces about 2,000 Palestinians
From the Newshound archive · first published 23 October 2026 · last updated 25 October 2026.
From Sunday, Palestinian workers will also be barred from most settlements, the Israel Defense Forces said. The lockdown follows Friday's checkpoint attack near Hebron, where two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three before being shot dead. Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that buildings near the scene would be 'destroyed'. He enters Tuesday's vote trailing Gadi Eisenkot 49% to 41% in one poll.
Defence Minister Israel Katz put the number displaced from Hebron at about 2,000.
Hebron mayor Youssef al-Jaabari believes the military plans to displace 2,500 people in total.
Videos showed soldiers spraying black crosses on Palestinian homes marked for demolition.
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The IndependentDays before Israeli election, military conducts massive West Bank operationBBC NewsIsrael to close West Bank crossings on election day as crackdown escalatesLBCHundreds of Palestinians displaced from their homes after Israel wipes out part of West BankBBC NewsPalestinian families displaced as Israeli forces demolish Hebron homes, local officials sayThe GuardianIsraeli soldiers raze neighbourhood in Hebron, driving families from homesThe HeraldIsraeli army carries out massive operation in West Bank ahead of electionAPIsrael presses ahead with West Bank army operation days before electionReutersAround 1,200 Palestinians are displaced in Hebron as Israel begins military operationAPIsrael demolishes Palestinian buildings in West Bank after deadly attack near HebronUPIIsrael razes entire Palestinian neighborhoods in the West BankIrish TimesIsrael imposes closures across West Bank city after two soldiers die in attacksWashington TimesIsrael imposes closures across a West Bank city after attacks
