Israeli operation continues in West Bank ahead of election-day crossing closures

Israel's military has continued a large-scale operation in the occupied West Bank, displacing hundreds of Palestinians and imposing major movement restrictions, CBC reported on October 25. Reporting published a day earlier describes searches and building demolitions in an operation the military said would last several days. All land crossings between Israel and the West Bank are scheduled to close for the October 27 election.⁷⁵⁴⁶

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Restrictions before the vote

The restrictions begin before polling day. According to Associated Press, the majority of Palestinian workers with permits would not be allowed into Israeli communities for work on October 25 or 26. According to the BBC, the initial restrictions involving settlements would not apply in industrial districts or a small number of other locations.¹³

The election-day measures extend to industrial zones, according to the BBC. The military announcement covers workers entering and leaving areas it describes as Judea and Samaria, the term used by many Israelis for the West Bank, as well as the Jordan Valley.¹

The BBC reported that more than 100,000 Palestinian workers had permission to enter Israel before the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Only a small proportion have since had their permits reinstated, it said. The new restrictions therefore affect access already limited since that attack.¹

Displacement in Hebron

The operation follows an October 23 attack at a checkpoint near Hebron in which Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three, according to The Hindu. The BBC reported that the two attackers were killed. About 2,000 Hebron residents have been displaced from their homes.¹²⁸

According to the BBC, Israeli forces sealed off Hebron and imposed extensive movement restrictions on its 200,000 residents. The broadcaster reported the demolition of homes and businesses and said at least one entire street appeared to have been levelled.¹

Defence Minister Israel Katz said residents would be prevented from returning until the military had dealt with Hamas issues in Hebron, The Hindu reported. The Palestinian Authority appealed for international pressure on Israel to protect people affected by the operation, according to the newspaper.²

The Hindu also reported that Israeli forces operated in 40 West Bank areas on October 23 and detained approximately 40 suspects, including alleged affiliates of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The military said the operation would continue for several days.²

CBC reported on October 25 that the large-scale West Bank operation was continuing, with major movement restrictions and hundreds of Palestinians displaced. It said the operation was launched in response to a shooting in which two Israeli soldiers died and three others were injured.⁷

Reports published October 24 by The Japan Times and South China Morning Post describe searches and building demolitions as part of the operation. The Japan Times reported that security forces searched locations and questioned suspects around Hebron, and that Israeli bulldozers demolished a Palestinian building there. The military and Shin Bet said the searches aimed to locate and dismantle what they described as terrorist infrastructure.⁵⁴

Election backdrop

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a close contest for another term, according to South China Morning Post. Hebron mayor Youssef al-Jaabari attributed the operation to electoral considerations, telling the BBC it was “driven by the elections”. That is his assessment of the operation's purpose.¹⁴

Security has been a central election issue, with Netanyahu campaigning on promises to protect Israelis, according to The Japan Times and South China Morning Post. The latter reported that Netanyahu and his right-wing allies visited the attack scene and pledged tougher security measures.⁵⁴

Separately, thousands attended an anti-government demonstration in Tel Aviv, including leaders of the four main opposition parties, the BBC reported. The October Council, which organised the demonstration, demanded that those responsible for not stopping the Hamas-led attack be held to account and urged the creation of a state commission of inquiry.¹