2,200 Residents Displaced as Israeli Forces Seal Hebron

2,200 Palestinians were forced from their homes in Hebron following a military lockdown that sealed the city's entrances and exits. Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, provided this count on Friday. The displacement occurred as Israeli forces conducted raids across the occupied West Bank. These operations began after two Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli army reserve base. Both attackers and two Israeli soldiers died in the incident.

Residents reported that soldiers announced evacuation orders over loudspeakers late at night. This timing left families with minimal preparation time and few shelter options. Al-Ja'bari confirmed that residents could neither enter nor leave the city on Saturday. The city of Hebron is home to approximately 200,000 Palestinians. Another 600,000 live elsewhere in Hebron governorate. This makes it the most populous area in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank following the ambush. On Saturday, journalists documented raids in at least 15 different areas. These locations included Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, occupied East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli forces arrested about 70 Palestinians during these operations. Al Jazeera correspondents noted that soldiers fired a stun grenade at them while they documented bulldozing near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint.

The Palestinian Authority described the measures as collective punishment. It cited home demolitions, the forced displacement of entire neighborhoods, and the closure of Palestinian cities. The PA urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect residents. Hamas issued a statement saying that campaigns by the occupation and settlers would fuel further outrage. Issa Amro, a Hebron-based activist, stated that the 800,000 people in the governorate are under siege with all routes closed since morning. He added that there is no safe place to hide inside the city.

The military operations are taking place days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, an Al Jazeera correspondent, said Israeli politicians are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu and his Likud party are trailing in polls. She said their right-wing coalition allies are trying to project strength by saying they are combating Palestinians. Netanyahu avoided stating whether he plans to dismantle the Palestinian Authority. He told reporters that a big surprise awaits the organization.