Israel to close West Bank crossings on election day amid military crackdown

Israel’s military says it will close all land crossings in the West Bank on Tuesday, the day of Israel’s election, and bar Palestinian workers from entering settlements. The restrictions come as Israeli forces conduct an operation in the occupied city of Hebron.

The Israel Defense Forces said the ban on Palestinian workers entering and leaving would cover Judea and Samaria, the Jordan Valley and industrial zones. Most workers will be barred from settlements from Sunday, with exceptions for industrial zones and a limited number of other areas.

Hebron operation follows soldiers’ deaths

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major operation on Friday after two Palestinian gunmen attacked a checkpoint, killing two Israeli soldiers and injuring three others. The gunmen were also killed.

Israeli forces have been demolishing homes and businesses in Hebron. Defence Minister Israel Katz said about 2,000 residents had been displaced; reports also say hundreds of families have been forced from their homes. Footage shared online appeared to show an entire street flattened.

Before the worker restrictions were announced, the military had cordoned off the city and severely restricted movement for its 200,000 residents. Israeli forces commonly demolish the homes of Palestinians suspected of attacking Israelis; Israeli rights groups have criticised the practice as collective punishment.

Worker restrictions and political dispute

Before the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, more than 100,000 Palestinian workers were permitted to enter Israel. Since then, permits have been restored for only a small fraction.

In an interview released on Saturday by Israeli television channel i24, Netanyahu threatened the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the territory, with a “very big surprise”. Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari said the operation was being driven by the election and accused Netanyahu and his ministers of trying to win support from the far right and settlers.

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday for an anti-government demonstration organised by the October Council, a group founded by families of victims and hostages taken during the 2023 attack. The group demanded accountability for the failure to prevent the attack, and leaders of Israel’s four main opposition parties attended.