HEBRON, West Bank -- Israel will shut down all land crossings between Israel and the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, October 27, tightening restrictions on Palestinian workers ahead of the country's general election.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said the measures would also prevent Palestinian workers from entering Israeli settlements and industrial zones on election day. The closure of settlements will start on Sunday with exceptions for certain industrial zones and other permitted areas.
The measures follow a military operation in the West Bank that was launched after an attack by two Palestinian gunmen, who killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others in an assault on a checkpoint. The suspected attackers were killed as well.
Israeli forces stepped up operations in Hebron and other parts of the occupied territory on Friday, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a large-scale military operation.
Israeli forces sealed off parts of Hebron, restricted movement and demolished Palestinian homes and businesses. According to his public statements, Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the demolitions had displaced some 2,000 residents. The restrictions have disrupted movement in a city of roughly 200,000 people.
The extent of the demolitions and displacement has raised concerns about the impact on Palestinian civilians. The Hebron city authorities condemned the operation as politically motivated and disproportionate. Netanyahu’s government has framed its response as a security measure after the deadly assault.
In the past, Israel has demolished the homes of Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis. Israeli human rights groups have condemned the practice as collective punishment.
Restrictions target Palestinian workers.
The original report quoted figures showing that more than 100,000 Palestinians were allowed to work in Israel before the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Since the attack, only a small proportion have had their work permits restored.
The new restrictions are expected to exacerbate the problems of Palestinian workers and businesses that rely on access to Israeli workplaces and industrial zones.
The military stated that the measures on election day were for security during the vote. The IDF said the restrictions would be lifted after election day.
Election tensions grow.
The military operation comes ahead of a tight election Tuesday for Netanyahu. Opinion polls published before the final pre-election polling blackout showed a tight race between the prime minister's political bloc and the opposition led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Neither was expected to win a clear majority in parliament.
Netanyahu promised a “massive surprise” for the Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank, in an interview with the Israeli television channel i24 published Saturday.
Hebron mayor Youssef al-Jaabari blamed Netanyahu and his ministers for using the military operation to appeal to right-wing voters and Israeli settlers. His statement mirrors the mayor’s assessment of the motives of the government, which has not been independently confirmed.
On Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv for an anti-government protest organised by the October Council, a group formed by families of people killed or taken hostage during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.
The demonstrators demanded accountability for security failures that enabled the attack to take place and the formation of a state commission of inquiry.
Before the vote, political tensions were high, with opposition leaders, including Eisenkot, attending the rally. The election will likely decide whether Netanyahu stays in office or the opposition can cobble together a governing coalition.
