West Bank Economy: 800,000 Residents Isolated After Two-Day Closure

Israeli military operations have halted all movement in Hebron, cutting off 800,000 residents from external trade and travel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank after two Israeli soldiers were killed in an ambush at a reserve base on Friday. The Palestinian Authority reports that the closure has stranded approximately 200,000 people in the city of Hebron and 600,000 in the surrounding governorate. Issa Amro, a political analyst, confirmed that all entrances and exits remained closed as of Saturday morning.

Local officials indicate that the economic disruption began with immediate evacuation orders. Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari stated that 2,200 people were forced from their homes following hundreds of military raids that started Friday night. Residents reported that loudspeaker announcements gave families little time to gather belongings before the city was sealed on Saturday.

Military activity expanded to at least 15 areas across the West Bank on Saturday. The operations included Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society counted roughly 70 arrests during these sweeps. In Hebron, forces bulldozed homes and vehicles near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint, an action documented by journalists who were also targeted with a stun grenade.

The closure occurs three days before the Israeli parliamentary election scheduled for October 27. Nour Odeh, a West Bank correspondent, noted that the government is leveraging the security situation to influence voter sentiment. Polls show Netanyahu and his Likud party trailing in the race, leading officials to present a strong military posture. Netanyahu has not confirmed plans to dismantle the Palestinian Authority but described the future of the governing body as a "big surprise."

The Palestinian Authority labeled the current measures "collective punishment," citing the demolition of homes and the siege of cities. Hamas also issued a statement, describing the military campaigns as "escalations" that would fuel further outrage. The PA has asked the international community to apply pressure to protect residents and restore normalcy to the region's markets.