Israel Announces West Bank Crossing Closures and Restrictions Ahead of Election

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that all land crossings in the West Bank will be closed during Israel's upcoming election on Tuesday. Under the restrictions, Palestinian workers will also be barred from entering all settlements, industrial zones, and the Jordan Valley throughout the day.

According to the military, most Palestinian workers are also prohibited from entering settlements starting Sunday, though exceptions were made for industrial zones and select designated areas. Prior to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, over 100,000 Palestinian workers held permits to enter Israel, but only a small fraction of those permits have been restored since.

Military Crackdown Follows Fatal Checkpoint Attack

The entry and exit bans follow a major military operation launched on Friday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The crackdown was initiated after two Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three others in an attack on a checkpoint. Both gunmen were killed during the incident.

As part of the operation, Israeli military forces have been demolishing homes and businesses in Hebron. Prior to the worker entry bans announced on Sunday, the military had cordoned off Hebron, heavily restricting movement for its 200,000 residents. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that approximately 2,000 residents have been displaced by the operation, with online footage showing at least one entire street flattened.

While Israeli forces routinely demolish the homes of Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks against Israelis, Israeli rights groups have criticized the practice as a form of collective punishment.

Political Reactions and Pre-Election Protests

The heightened military activity comes days before the national election. In a televised interview broadcast Saturday, Netanyahu warned of a "very big surprise" for the Palestinian Authority, which governs portions of the West Bank. Conversely, Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari asserted that the military campaign is politically motivated, claiming Netanyahu and his cabinet ministers are attempting to appeal to far-right voters and settlers ahead of the vote.

Political tensions also surfaced within Israel on Saturday as thousands gathered in Tel Aviv for a major anti-government demonstration. Organised by the October Council—a group formed by victims' families and hostages from the October 7, 2023 attacks—the protest demanded an official state commission of inquiry and accountability for security failures. Leaders from four main opposition parties attended the event, including former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, who is currently polling closely with Netanyahu.