Israel Closes West Bank Crossings Ahead of Election Amid Crackdown

Source reports published 25 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 26 Oct 2026, 2:24 am AEST

Following a deadly attack in Hebron, Israel has implemented a lockdown of the West Bank, closing all land crossings on election day. The military is conducting operations, displacing residents and restricting Palestinian movement.

What happened

• Israel has initiated a widespread military operation in the West Bank, primarily focused on Hebron, following the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and the wounding of three others in a shooting attack by Palestinian gunmen.
• Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that approximately 2,000 residents of the Hebron neighbourhood where the gunmen were located have been evacuated and will not be permitted to return until the ‘Hamas issues’ are addressed.
• Israeli forces have conducted raids across the West Bank, demolishing homes and businesses, and closing gates and checkpoints to Palestinian drivers.
• The Israel Defence Forces announced a ban on Palestinian worker entry and exit from the West Bank, with most restrictions taking effect Sunday and a full closure of crossings on Tuesday, the election day.
• Over 2,600 Palestinians have been displaced from Hebron, according to the municipality.
• The operation has involved searches in Deir Bahha, the gunmen’s suspected neighbourhood, and the arrest of 40 Palestinians linked to Hamas or Islamic Jihad.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed a ‘heavy price’ for the attack, and the military has been operating in over 400 locations, further restricting movement and access.

Original reporting

• ABC: Israel presses ahead with West Bank army operation days before election
  2026-10-25T01:33:31+00:00
• BBC: Israel to close West Bank crossings on election day as crackdown escalates
  2026-10-25T05:15:52.843000+00:00
• Al Jazeera: Israel to close occupied West Bank crossings as it locks down Hebron
  2026-10-25T00:00:00+00:00
• South China Morning Post: Israel widens West Bank crackdown, displacing Hebron families after attack
  2026-10-25T06:23:07+00:00
• PBS NewsHour: Israel presses ahead with West Bank operation as election approaches
  2026-10-25T16:24:40+00:00
• Deutsche Welle: Israel to close all West Bank land crossings on election day
  2026-10-25T13:09:13.115000+00:00