Israel orders West Bank crossings to close on election day following Hebron shooting

On Tuesday, Israel is set to close all land crossings between the West Bank and the rest of the country as legislative elections take place, according to the Israeli military. The ban will prevent Palestinian workers from entering or exiting Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones and other approved areas.

This comes after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen in Hebron earlier this week, prompting a wider clampdown by Israeli forces. The IDF has surrounded the city, conducting search operations and demolishing buildings in Hebron where residents were forcibly removed. Over 200 families have been displaced, with around 2,500 people removed from their homes in the al-Jilda and Ain Deir Baha areas.

Israeli forces have also detained 20 individuals in the Hebron Governorate as part of the crackdown. The military claims it is targeting terrorist infrastructure and preventing future attacks, demolishing structures that pose a security threat. Israeli human rights group B Tselem condemns the displacement of Palestinian residents and calls for an immediate international response to halt Israel's campaign in Hebron.

Meanwhile, thousands protested in Tel Aviv against the government ahead of Tuesday's election, with the October Council, representing families of victims and hostages from the October 7 attacks, calling for continued action in response to the ongoing situation.