Israel orders West Bank crossings to close on election day following Hebron shooting

All land crossings in the West Bank are scheduled to close on Tuesday as Israel prepares for legislative elections, according to statements from the Israeli military.

The IDF issued a directive banning the entry and exit of Palestinian workers into and out of Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley—including industrial zones—as well as imposing a complete closure of all West Bank land crossings on election day.

The order further restricts Palestinian laborers, prohibiting them from working in Judea, Samaria, or the Jordan Valley from Sunday through Monday, except in designated industrial zones and a handful of other approved locations.

These measures are part of a broader security crackdown in the occupied West Bank following the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian attackers in Hebron earlier this week.

In response, the IDF deployed forces to encircle Hebron, conducting search operations while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a temporary encirclement of the city and additional security measures.

Since then, Israeli forces have commenced demolishing structures that the government claims pose security risks, and have begun removing residents from the region.

According to the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa), more than 200 families have been displaced in Hebron over the past three days, with roughly 2,500 individuals forcibly evicted from their residences in the al‑Jilda and Ain Deir Baha neighborhoods.

The operation also involved the detention of twenty individuals across Hebron Governorate in connection with the security measures.

The IDF announced a targeted operation aimed at eliminating terrorist infrastructure in Hebron and curbing future attacks.

To minimize civilian risk, the military allowed limited, temporary evacuation via designated screening points, while explicitly stating that no civilians were compelled to leave.

Authorities confirmed that several structures in Hebron had been demolished due to posing a security threat.

Additionally, the IDF emphasized that all other demolished sites were built illegally and were removed in accordance with international law to enforce order and eliminate potential security hazards.

B’Tselem has condemned Israel’s plans to forcibly displace Palestinian residents and to carry out extensive destruction in the area.

B’Tselem has urgently called on the international community to halt Israel’s campaign of displacement and destruction in Hebron.

Anti-government protests

It comes as thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against the government ahead of Tuesday’s election.

Demonstrators reportedly marched from Rabin Square in the city centre towards Hostages Square, renamed in the wake of Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel.

The rally was organised by the October Council, a group set up by families of victims and hostages taken by militants during the attacks.

“This evening has given us tremendous strength, but our struggle is not yet over,” the group wrote in a post on social media on Sunday. “We must now channel the incredible energy from the square into action. This coming Tuesday, we’re all going out to vote.”

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