Israel’s military says all West Bank land crossings will be closed during Tuesday’s election, and Palestinian workers will be barred from entering all settlements. The measures come as a crackdown in the occupied territory intensifies after Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers.
The Israel Defense Forces announced a ban on the entry and exit of Palestinian workers across Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones. It also confirmed the closure of all land crossings on Tuesday.
Workers barred from settlements and crossings
Before the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, more than 100,000 Palestinian workers were allowed to enter Israel. Since then, only a small fraction have had their permits restored.
The military said most workers will also be barred from settlements from Sunday. Industrial zones and a limited number of other areas are exempt from the restriction.
Hebron operation displaces hundreds of families
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major operation on Friday after two Palestinian gunmen attacked a checkpoint, killing two Israeli soldiers. Three other soldiers were wounded, and the gunmen were also killed.
Israeli forces have been demolishing homes and businesses in the city of Hebron, and hundreds of families have been displaced. Defence Minister Israel Katz said about 2,000 residents had been displaced by the operation. Footage shared online appears to show at least one whole street flattened.
Before the IDF announced the worker bans on Sunday, the military had already cordoned off the city, which has 200,000 residents, and heavily restricted their movement. Israeli rights groups have criticised the common practice of demolishing the homes of Palestinians suspected of attacks, calling it collective punishment.
Threats, opposition and a Tel Aviv rally
In an interview broadcast on Saturday by an Israeli television channel, Netanyahu threatened a “very big surprise” for the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the territory. The attack came just days before Israel’s election.
Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari said the operation was being “driven by the elections.” He claimed Netanyahu and his ministers were trying to secure the votes of the far right and the settlers.
On Saturday, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv for a large anti-government demonstration organised by the October Council. The group, founded by families of victims and hostages taken by militants on October 7, 2023, is calling for accountability for the failure to prevent the attack. In a post on X, the group wrote that “three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event” marking three years of struggle.
Leaders of the four main opposition parties attended the rally, including Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief of staff, who is running neck and neck with Netanyahu.
