West Bank Under Full Lockdown as Hebron Residents Flee Amid Military Raids

Israeli military forces have imposed a complete lockdown on the West Bank, a move that has left thousands of residents in Hebron without a place to stay. This strict closure came into effect after two Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack on a reserve base. The situation has turned the region into a closed zone, with residents describing a tense and frightening atmosphere as troops conduct widespread operations.

The scale of the displacement is significant. Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, reported that 2,200 people have been forced out of their homes since Friday. He noted that hundreds of raids have been carried out in the days since the initial attack. During that incident, two Palestinian gunmen struck an Israeli army reserve base. Both attackers were killed, along with the two soldiers who were on duty at the facility.

Residents of Hebron say the evacuation orders were delivered with little warning. Soldiers used loudspeakers to announce the directives late at night, which left families with very little time to pack essentials or find alternative shelter. By Saturday, the city was effectively sealed off. Al-Ja'bari stated that people could neither enter nor leave the city, creating a sense of isolation for the local population.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered this full lockdown in direct response to the deadly attack. The military response has not been limited to Hebron. Correspondents reported raids in at least 15 different areas across the West Bank on Saturday. These locations included Jenin and Nablus in the north, Ramallah and Bethlehem in the central and southern regions, as well as occupied East Jerusalem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society said that roughly 70 Palestinians were arrested during these operations.

The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, has criticized the military actions. They described the measures as collective punishment, pointing to home demolitions and the siege of entire cities. The PA has urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect its residents. Meanwhile, Hamas released a statement saying that these escalations by the occupation and settlers will only fuel further outrage among the Palestinian people.

The demographic impact is substantial because Hebron is the most populous governorate in the West Bank. Approximately 200,000 Palestinians live in the city itself, while another 600,000 reside in the wider governorate. Issa Amro, a local activist and analyst, said these 800,000 people are now under siege. He noted that all entrances and exits have been closed since morning. Inside the city, he said, there is no safe place for anyone to hide and the population is living in fear.

This military campaign is happening just days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a correspondent for the West Bank, said that Israeli politicians are trying to capitalize on the attack. She observed that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Likud party are currently trailing in the polls. Consequently, they are attempting to project strength by emphasizing their combat against Palestinians. Netanyahu recently hinted that a big surprise awaits the Palestinian Authority, though he did not specify what that surprise would be.

The situation remains fluid as the military continues its operations. Journalists documenting the events have also faced challenges, with some reports of soldiers firing stun grenades at media crews near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. As the elections approach, the tension between the military strategy and political maneuvering is becoming increasingly apparent to observers and residents alike.