Hebron sealed off after ambush leaves two soldiers dead
Mayors report 2,200 residents displaced as Prime Minister orders full West Bank lockdown ahead of parliamentary elections.
By Leila Reynolds ·
The closure of the West Bank’s borders has left hundreds of thousands of residents cut off from the outside world. This move followed a deadly ambush that killed two Israeli soldiers on Friday.
Israeli forces have locked down Hebron, the most populous city in the occupied territory. Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari stated that 2,200 people have been forced from their homes. He noted that hundreds of raids have occurred since the attack on the reserve base. Both Palestinian gunmen involved in the ambush were killed during the incident.
Residents described the evacuation process as chaotic and abrupt. Soldiers used loudspeakers to announce orders late at night, leaving families little time to gather belongings. Al-Ja'bari confirmed that on Saturday, residents could neither enter nor exit the city. The physical blockade has created a sense of isolation for the population.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the full lockdown of the West Bank following the ambush. The order extends beyond Hebron to include at least 15 areas. These locations span from Jenin and Nablus in the north to Bethlehem in the south. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these operations. Journalists documenting a bulldozer operation near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint were hit by a stun grenade.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, has labeled the current military actions as collective punishment. Officials cited home demolitions and the siege of cities as primary concerns. They have appealed to the international community to intervene. Hamas also issued a statement, arguing that the escalation by the occupation would fuel further outrage among the population.
The demographic weight of the blockade is substantial. Approximately 200,000 Palestinians live within Hebron city limits. Another 600,000 reside elsewhere in the Hebron governorate. Local activist Issa Amro described the situation as a siege, with all entrances and exits closed since morning. He stated that there is currently no safe place for anyone to hide inside the city.
The military campaign is unfolding in the final days before the Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Correspondent Nour Odeh observed that politicians are using the attack to project strength. Netanyahu’s Likud party and its right-wing allies are trailing in the polls. Netanyahu has not confirmed whether the Palestinian Authority will be dismantled, but he indicated that a big surprise awaits the organization.
