Israel closes West Bank crossings on election day after soldier deaths

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 13:20 · Archive

Israel is closing all West Bank land crossings on election day following a shooting that killed two Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli Defense Forces announced on Sunday that all land crossings between Israel and the West Bank will close on Tuesday during parliamentary elections. From Sunday onwards, Palestinian workers have been barred from entering Israeli communities in the West Bank and the Jordan Valley for work, except in industrial zones and a few other approved areas.

The closures follow a shooting on Friday near Hebron that killed two Israeli soldiers and injured three others. The IDF said the two suspected attackers were killed. The Palestinian militant group Hamas hailed the attack but did not claim credit for it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to exact a heavy price for the attack, which came days before elections in which he is fighting to secure a new term.

The military launched what it described as a targeted operation around Hebron to dismantle 'terrorist infrastructure' and prevent future attacks. According to the Palestinian News Agency, more than 200 families have been displaced in Hebron over three days, with around 2,500 people forcibly removed from their homes in the al-Jilda and Ain Deir Baha areas. Israeli forces detained 20 people across the Hebron Governorate on Sunday as part of the crackdown. The IDF said civilians were permitted to temporarily leave the area through designated screening points.

How it is being reported

• Israel to close all West Bank land crossings on election dayAfter a deadly attack which killed two Israeli soldiers on Friday, the Israeli military has said all land border points between Israel and the occupied West Bank will be closed during Tuesday's election.DW News · 25 Oct, 13:09
• Israel orders West Bank crossings to close on election day following Hebron shootingThe move comes as part of a wider clampdown in the occupied West Bank after two Israeli soldiers were killed by Palestinian gunmen in the city of Hebron earlier this week.Euronews · 25 Oct, 11:21

In this story: Israel · West Bank · Hebron · Benjamin Netanyahu · Hamas · Israeli Defense Forces · Palestinian

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