West Bank Sealed: Thousands Evicted as Israeli Forces Tighten Grip on Hebron

Israeli military forces have effectively sealed off the West Bank, implementing a total lockdown that has forced thousands of residents out of their homes in Hebron. This aggressive escalation follows the killing of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian gunmen at an army reserve base. The Palestinian Authority has formally requested that the international community apply pressure on Israel to secure the safety of the city's inhabitants.

Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari stated that 2,200 individuals have been compelled to leave their residences. He reported that hundreds of military raids have occurred since the incident began on Friday. During that initial attack, two Palestinian gunmen targeted the reserve base. All four combatants involved, including the two soldiers, were killed in the exchange of fire.

Local residents described the chaotic nature of the evacuations. Soldiers used loudspeakers to announce orders late in the night, leaving families with minimal time to gather belongings or identify destinations. Al-Ja'bari confirmed that by Saturday, the city was completely isolated, preventing any person from entering or exiting the area.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the full lockdown of the West Bank in direct response to the shooting. While journalists documented an Israeli operation to demolish homes and vehicles near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron, soldiers targeted the press crew. They fired a stun grenade at the reporters capturing the destruction.

Correspondents reported that Israeli forces conducted raids in at least 15 different areas across the West Bank on Saturday. These operations spanned the northern regions of Jenin and Nablus, the central zones of Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, and occupied East Jerusalem, as well as the southern city of Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society estimated that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these widespread operations.

The Palestinian Authority, which administers the West Bank, characterized the military actions as collective punishment. Officials cited the demolition of homes, the forced displacement of entire neighborhoods, and the closure of Palestinian cities as evidence. The government urged the international community to intervene, according to reports from the Wafa news agency. Hamas also issued a statement, claiming that the escalations by the occupation and its settlers would only increase outrage among the population.

Hebron is home to approximately 200,000 Palestinians, with another 600,000 residing elsewhere in Hebron governorate. This makes it the most populous region in the West Bank. Issa Amro, a political analyst and activist based in Hebron, described the situation as a siege. He noted that all entrances and exits had been closed since morning. Amro added that there is no safe hiding place within the city and that the population is living in fear.

The military operations are taking place just days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent, observed that Israeli politicians are attempting to leverage the attack for political gain. She noted that Netanyahu, his Likud party, and their right-wing coalition allies are trailing in the polls. Consequently, they are trying to project strength by emphasizing their combat efforts against Palestinians.

In a recent address, Netanyahu avoided confirming specific plans regarding the future of the Palestinian Authority. However, he hinted that a significant surprise awaits the organization, leaving its fate uncertain as the region remains under tight military control.