800,000 residents trapped in Hebron as Israel seals West Bank borders

Israeli forces have sealed the entrances and exits of Hebron, trapping approximately 800,000 residents inside the city and its surrounding governorate. The blockade began after two Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush at a reserve base in Hebron. Local officials reported that the isolation prevents anyone from entering or leaving the area.

The displacement of civilians has been rapid and forced. Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, stated that 2,200 people have been driven from their homes. He noted that Israeli soldiers announced evacuation orders over loudspeakers late at night. This timing left families with little time to gather belongings or find alternative shelter.

The military response expanded far beyond the initial attack site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank. Correspondents documented raids in at least 15 different areas on Saturday. These locations included Jenin and Nablus in the north, Ramallah and East Jerusalem in the center, and Bethlehem in the south.

The scale of the operation resulted in mass arrests and property destruction. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli forces detained about 70 Palestinians during the raids. In Hebron, military vehicles bulldozed homes and cars near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint. During this operation, soldiers fired a stun grenade at journalists documenting the destruction.

The Palestinian Authority has criticized the military action as collective punishment. Citing home demolitions and the siege of cities, the PA urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel. Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, issued a statement warning that the escalation would increase outrage among Palestinians. Activist Issa Amro described the current situation in Hebron as a siege with no safe hiding places.

The conflict is unfolding just days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Analysts suggest political leaders are using the security crisis to influence voters. Netanyahu, whose coalition is trailing in polls, has not specified when the lockdown will end. He told reporters that a big surprise awaits the Palestinian Authority.