Israel has announced that on the election day next week, all land crossings with the West Bank will be closed. This decision follows the killing of two Israeli soldiers in the area by Palestinian militants and reflects a tougher approach in the fight against terrorism.
Military Operations in the West Bank
This announcement comes a day after Israel's military operation in the occupied city of Hebron, which forced about 2000 residents to leave their homes. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has stated that residents of these areas will not be allowed to return until issues related to Hamas in Hebron are resolved.
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Although Hamas has not claimed responsibility for this attack, it praised the act, considering it a sign of its strength. In fact, this attack occurred at a checkpoint near a Palestinian city, resulting in the death of two Israeli soldiers and injuries to three others.
Electoral Impacts and Reactions
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has firmly stated that he is seeking revenge for these attacks and intends to carry out operations that would be unprecedented in the history of the occupation of the West Bank since 1967. He is trying to present security as his main priority ahead of the elections, especially after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which challenged his security credibility.
The Israeli army has announced that starting Sunday, the entry of Palestinians into Israeli communities in the regions of Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley for work will be prohibited. Additionally, the army will seriously enforce the ban on the entry and exit of Palestinian workers throughout these areas, including industrial zones.
The Palestinian Authority, which oversees part of the West Bank, has called for international pressure on Israel to protect residents affected by military operations. This comes as the Israeli army has conducted operations in 40 different areas over the past two days, arresting about 40 suspects, including individuals linked to terrorist organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
In the Ain Deir Bahar neighborhood of Hebron, empty buildings are marked with “X” signs, and the streets are almost deserted. Israeli flags are hanging on a house that appears to have been seized by Israeli forces.
Hegazi Shawar Al-Tamimi, a 70-year-old neighborhood leader, shares his experience during this operation. He mentioned that he woke up early in the morning to find soldiers who forced him to leave his home, adding: “They said, 'You must go for the time being.'”
