The Israeli military continued a large-scale operation in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, displacing hundreds of Palestinians and restricting movement in response to a gun attack that killed two Israeli soldiers and wounded three others. The operation, centered in Hebron, comes as Israel enters the final days before a general election, which is widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership and security policies during the past three years of war.
The Israeli Defense Forces stated that troops operated in more than 400 locations over the weekend and arrested 40 Palestinians alleged to be affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad. No militant group has claimed responsibility for the Friday attack. In new measures, the army announced that most Palestinian workers with permits would be barred from entering Israeli West Bank settlements on Sunday and Monday, and crossings into Israel would remain closed until after the elections on Tuesday.
What the Left Is Saying
Palestinian officials and residents describe the operation as a collective punishment that disrupts daily life and economic stability. Hebron Mayor Yousef Zuhair Al-Jabari stated, "People cannot reach or enter the city, and they cannot leave it. The blockade has affected every aspect of life." Al-Jabari noted that the restrictions have forced businesses to close and shuttered a local mosque. The Hebron municipality reported that the operation displaced more than 2,600 people, with families forced to leave nearly 500 apartments in the Deir Bahha and Al-Jalda neighborhoods.
Displaced residents expressed uncertainty about the duration of the restrictions. Shadi al-Qawasmi, a Hebron resident displaced with his family, said the military initially indicated a 12-day closure but the situation remains fluid. "This may be because of the elections or some political matter. No one knows except God Almighty," al-Qawasmi said. Reports describe families navigating military gates on foot, passing essentials like flour and gas canisters through openings, and pushing elderly relatives in wheelchairs to access medical appointments.
What the Right Is Saying
Israeli leaders and security officials frame the operation as a necessary response to terrorism and a demonstration of state authority. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site of the attack and vowed a forceful response, aiming to reassure Israelis concerned with security. The military stated that troops found weapons in the gunmen's car and believed the attackers were planning to target Israeli civilians before being stopped at the checkpoint. Sgt. Yuval Shai Svilem, 20, one of the soldiers killed, was mourned by hundreds at a funeral in Hod Hasharon.
The Israeli government emphasizes the need to secure the West Bank amidst a surge in violence. With the election approaching, Netanyahu faces pressure to demonstrate strength against Palestinian attackers. The military declined to specify how long the operation might last, maintaining that the searches are focused on the area where the gunmen operated and warning residents in Deir Bahha to evacuate. The international community's view that settlements are illegal is noted by critics, but Israeli officials maintain their presence is necessary for security in the region.
What the Numbers Show
According to the Hebron municipality, the operation has displaced more than 2,600 Palestinians. The military reported arresting 40 individuals over the weekend. In the year to date, six Israelis have been killed in attacks in the West Bank, while 112 Palestinians have been killed, including the suspected gunmen, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The West Bank is home to approximately 3 million Palestinians and 540,000 Israeli settlers. Hebron is the only place where Jewish settlers live in the heart of a densely populated Palestinian area, protected by the Israeli military.
The Bottom Line
The timing of the operation coincides with the final days of Israel's election campaign, linking security actions directly to political narratives. The closure of crossings and restrictions on workers will likely impact the local economy and daily routines in Hebron and surrounding areas until after Tuesday's vote. Observers will watch for any further escalations in violence or changes in the duration of the military blockade as the political outcome becomes clear.