Hebron Sealed and Evacuated After Deadly Attack

2,200 people have been forced from their homes in Hebron as Israeli forces tighten their grip on the occupied West Bank. The massive displacement follows a deadly incident in which two Israeli soldiers were killed, triggering a military response that has sealed off the city and launched widespread raids across the region.

The crisis began on Friday when two Palestinian gunmen attacked an Israeli army reserve base. Both gunmen were killed in the exchange, along with the two soldiers. In the hours that followed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank. By Saturday, the military had conducted hundreds of raids, leaving residents with little time to prepare or find shelter.

Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, described the chaotic scenes of the past two days. He reported that soldiers announced evacuation orders over loudspeakers late into the night. This timing left families scrambling with few options for where to go. Al-Ja'bari confirmed that on Saturday, the city was completely sealed, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

The military operations have extended far beyond Hebron. Correspondents reported Israeli raids in at least 15 different areas of the West Bank on Saturday. These locations included Jenin and Nablus in the north, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, and occupied East Jerusalem in the center, as well as Bethlehem in the south. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society stated that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these widespread operations.

The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, has condemned the military actions as collective punishment. Officials pointed to home demolitions, the forced displacement of entire neighborhoods, and the closure of Palestinian cities. The PA has urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect residents. Hamas also issued a statement, arguing that these escalations by the occupation and settlers will only fuel further outrage among the population.

The human impact is significant given the population density of the area. About 200,000 Palestinians live in the city of Hebron, while another 600,000 reside elsewhere in the governorate. This makes it the most populous area in the West Bank. Issa Amro, a Hebron-based activist and political analyst, noted that these 800,000 people are now under siege with all entrances and exits closed since morning. He described the city as being in a state of fear, with no safe place for anyone to hide.

Tensions are also rising at checkpoints. Al Jazeera journalists documenting an Israeli operation to bulldoze homes and vehicles near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint in Hebron were targeted by soldiers. The military personnel fired a stun grenade at the reporting team during the operation.

The military surge is occurring just days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent, observed that Israeli politicians are trying to capitalize on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu, his Likud party, and their right-wing coalition allies are currently behind in the polls. Consequently, they are projecting a strong stance on combating Palestinians. Netanyahu recently hinted at major changes, saying a big surprise awaits the Palestinian Authority, though he did not specify if he plans to dismantle the organization.

The situation remains fluid as the lockdown continues. The combination of mass evacuations, widespread arrests, and political maneuvering creates a complex environment for residents. The international community is now watching closely as the PA calls for external intervention to break the siege and protect the civilian population in Hebron and beyond.