Hebron Sealed, 2,200 Evacuated

Israeli forces locked down the city of Hebron on Saturday and forced 2,200 Palestinians from their homes after two Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush. The military conducted raids across the occupied West Bank in response to the attack, which occurred on Friday when two Palestinian gunmen assaulted an Israeli army reserve base. Both gunmen and the two soldiers died in the incident.

Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari told Al Jazeera that hundreds of raids have taken place since Friday. He reported that residents received evacuation orders over loudspeakers late at night, leaving families with little time to prepare. Al-Ja'bari noted that on Saturday, the city was sealed off, preventing people from entering or leaving.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank following the attack. On Saturday, Israeli raids reached at least 15 areas, including Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli forces arrested approximately 70 Palestinians during these operations.

Al Jazeera journalists documenting a military operation near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron were targeted by soldiers. The troops fired a stun grenade at the reporting team while they filmed the bulldozing of homes and vehicles. The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, described the military actions as collective punishment. It cited home demolitions and the closure of Palestinian cities, urging the international community to intervene.

About 200,000 Palestinians live in the city of Hebron, while another 600,000 reside elsewhere in the governorate. Issa Amro, a Hebron-based activist, stated that the 800,000 residents are under siege with all entrances and exits closed since morning. He added that there is no safe place for anyone to hide inside the city and that the population is in fear.

The military operations occur days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh said Israeli politicians are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu and his Likud party are behind in the polls, and right-wing allies are trying to project strength by emphasizing their combat against Palestinians.

Netanyahu did not specify whether he plans to dismantle the Palestinian Authority. However, he stated that a big surprise awaits the organization.