West Bank Lockdown: Hebron Residents Displaced After Reserve Base Attack
Israeli forces have sealed off Hebron and raided at least 15 other areas, displacing 2,200 residents three days before parliamentary elections.
By Petra Murphy ·
Residents of Hebron woke to loudspeakers announcing evacuation orders late into the night, leaving families with little time to gather belongings or determine where to go. The city, home to approximately 200,000 Palestinians, is now sealed off from the outside world. Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari reported that 2,200 people have been forced from their homes since the conflict escalated on Friday.
The restrictions extend far beyond Hebron. Israeli security forces have conducted raids in at least 15 areas across the occupied West Bank. These operations include Jenin and Nablus in the north, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, and Birzeit in the central region, as well as Bethlehem in the south and occupied East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society stated that roughly 70 Palestinians were arrested during these sweeps.
The military campaign began on Friday when two Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli army reserve base. Both attackers were killed, as were the two Israeli soldiers stationed there. Following the incident, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank. Hebron's mayor noted that on Saturday, civilians could neither enter nor leave the city, effectively creating a siege.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, characterized the current operations as collective punishment. In a report via the Wafa news agency, the PA cited home demolitions and the closure of Palestinian cities. They urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect residents. Hamas also issued a statement, claiming that the occupation's escalations would only fuel further outrage among the Palestinian population.
Hebron is the most populous governorate in the West Bank, with another 600,000 people living outside the city center. Issa Amro, a local political analyst, described the situation for the region's 800,000 inhabitants. He stated that all entrances and exits have been closed since morning. Amro added that there is no safe place for anyone to hide inside the city and that the atmosphere is one of fear.
Tensions also flared between journalists and soldiers near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. Al Jazeera reporters were documenting an Israeli operation to bulldoze homes and vehicles in the area. Soldiers targeted the team by firing a stun grenade at them. The incident occurred as forces continued their sweep through the region.
The military escalation arrives on the eve of Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a correspondent for Al Jazeera, observed that politicians are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu, his Likud party, and their right-wing coalition allies currently trail in the polls. Odeh suggested they are projecting strength by emphasizing their combat operations against Palestinians.
During the crisis, Netanyahu addressed the future of the Palestinian Authority. He avoided confirming whether he plans to dismantle the organization. However, he told reporters that a big surprise awaits the PA, leaving the fate of the governing body uncertain as the election date approaches.
