Israel presses ahead with West Bank operation as election approaches

TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military initiated a large-scale operation in the West Bank's Hebron on Sunday following a fatal gun attack that left two Israeli soldiers dead and three others injured. The offensive targeted the city, where the assailants carried out their assault, as Israel braces for a crucial election. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership and security policies are under scrutiny ahead of the vote.

The military's actions prohibited most Palestinian workers from entering Israeli West Bank settlements, with closures lasting until after the elections on Tuesday. Throughout the weekend, over 400 locations were targeted, resulting in the arrest of 40 Palestinians suspected of affiliating with militant groups Hamas or Islamic Jihad. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Hebron's mayor, Yousef Zuhair Al-Jabari, reported that the operation displaced more than 2,600 individuals, severely impacting life in the city. All entrances and exits to Hebron were sealed, leaving residents unable to move in or out. The blockade has led to the closure of businesses and a mosque, with families forced to leave their homes on foot or through narrow openings at military checkpoints.

The military operation will continue for at least 12 days, though its duration may be shortened. This military crackdown comes amid rising violence in the West Bank, with six Israelis killed in attacks this year and 112 Palestinians, including the suspected gunman, losing their lives. Netanyahu, under pressure to show strong action against Palestinian attackers, visited the attack site and pledged a forceful response.