Hebron Mayor Reports 2,200 Displaced as Israeli Forces Seal West Bank

The West Bank has been placed under a comprehensive military lockdown, a move that has resulted in the mass displacement of residents in Hebron and widespread raids across the territory. This escalation follows the fatal shooting of two Israeli soldiers by Palestinian gunmen near Hebron.

Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, stated that 2,200 individuals have been forced to leave their homes. He noted that hundreds of military operations have been conducted since Friday. The initial incident involved two Palestinian gunmen who attacked an Israeli army reserve base. Both attackers were killed in the engagement, along with the two soldiers.

Local residents described receiving evacuation orders via loudspeakers late in the night, a timing that left families with minimal preparation time and limited options for shelter. By Saturday, the city was effectively sealed off, preventing residents from entering or exiting the area. Following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank.

Military activity extended beyond Hebron, with reports of raids in at least 15 different locations across the occupied territory on Saturday. These operations took place in northern areas such as Jenin and Nablus, central locations including Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, and East Jerusalem, and southern sites like Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that approximately 70 Palestinians were detained during these sweeps.

Journalists documenting the operations also faced difficulties. Reporters covering an Israeli effort to demolish homes and vehicles near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron were targeted by soldiers, who fired a stun grenade at them. The Palestinian Authority, which administers the West Bank, characterized the military response as collective punishment. This assessment cited the demolition of homes, the displacement of entire neighborhoods, and the siege of Palestinian cities.

In a statement, the PA urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect the city's inhabitants. Hamas also issued a statement, suggesting that the escalating campaigns against the population would only intensify public outrage. The city of Hebron is home to roughly 200,000 people, while the wider governorate contains another 600,000 residents, making it the most populous area in the West Bank.

Issa Amro, a political analyst and activist based in Hebron, described the situation as a siege with all entrances and exits closed since morning. He emphasized that there is no safe hiding place for anyone inside the city, noting that the population is living in a state of fear. The current military actions occur just days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27.

Nour Odeh, a correspondent for the region, observed that political leaders are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his Likud party, along with their right-wing coalition allies, are currently trailing in the polls. Consequently, they appear to be projecting a strong stance against the Palestinian population. While Netanyahu did not confirm plans to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, he indicated that a significant surprise awaits the organization.