Israel to close occupied West Bank crossings as it locks down Hebron — SkimNews
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- Israel will close all land crossings with the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, November 1, the day of its general election, barring Palestinian workers.
- The Israeli army imposed a lockdown in Hebron, forcibly displacing about 2,200 people from their homes following a Friday attack that killed two soldiers.
- Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the displaced residents will not be allowed to return until authorities finish 'dealing with all the Hamas issues in Hebron'.
- The Palestinian Authority condemned Israel's actions as 'collective punishment', citing home demolitions, forced displacement, and the siege of Palestinian cities.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a 'full lockdown' of the West Bank and suggested a major military operation is being planned.
- Reuters coverage, reflected in its headline, also frames the story around the displacement of Palestinians, noting 'Around 1,200 Palestinians are displaced in Hebron'.
Why it matters: The closure and military operation directly impact over 800,000 Palestinians in the Hebron area, restricting movement and displacing families. For Netanyahu, the security crackdown capitalizes on national security fears days before a tight election, potentially swaying voters.
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