Netanyahu orders full West Bank seal after two soldiers killed in Hebron

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a complete lockdown of the West Bank. The decision came after two Israeli soldiers died in an ambush on a reserve base in Hebron. The closure has left 800,000 people in the Hebron governorate unable to enter or leave the area.

Yousef al-Ja'bari, the mayor of Hebron, stated that 2,200 residents have been forced from their homes. He reported that hundreds of military raids have occurred since Friday. The initial attack on Friday involved two Palestinian gunmen who targeted the reserve base. All four individuals involved in that specific incident, the two gunmen and the two soldiers, were killed.

Residents described a chaotic night when soldiers broadcast evacuation orders over loudspeakers. Families reported having little time to gather belongings. Al-Ja'bari confirmed that on Saturday, the city was sealed off completely. Hebron's mayor noted that the population of the city is approximately 200,000, with another 600,000 living in the surrounding governorate.

Issa Amro, a political analyst based in Hebron, said the 800,000 people in the region are now under siege. He described the situation inside the city as one where there is no safe place for anyone to hide. He added that the city is currently in a state of fear.

Israeli forces conducted raids in at least 15 areas of the West Bank on Saturday. These locations included Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Al-Bireh, Birzeit, East Jerusalem, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that approximately 70 Palestinians were arrested during these operations. Al Jazeera journalists covering a home demolition near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint were targeted with a stun grenade by soldiers.

The Palestinian Authority has called the actions collective punishment. It cited the closure and siege of cities as well as home demolitions. The PA urged the international community to apply pressure on Israel to protect residents. Hamas issued a statement saying that the escalations by the occupation and settlers would fuel further outrage.

The raids are taking place days before Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh reported that politicians are attempting to capitalize on the attack. She noted that Netanyahu's Likud party and right-wing allies are trailing in the polls. Netanyahu said a big surprise awaits the PA but did not specify if he plans to dismantle it.