Trending
Prev Story
Next Story

Israel to close West Bank crossings on election day as crackdown escalates

BBC News •
October 25, 2026 • 05:15 AM
1
1 reads 0 reactions

The Israeli Defense Forces announces restrictions on the movement of Palestinian workers in the run-up to Tuesday's election.

Israel to close West Bank crossings on election day as crackdown escalates

All West Bank land crossings will be closed during Tuesday's election in Israel, the country's military says, and Palestinian workers will be barred from entering all settlements.

The restrictions come amid a crackdown in the occupied West Bank after Palestinian gunmen killed two Israeli soldiers in the territory.

The Israel Defense Forces announced a "ban on the entry and exit of Palestinian workers throughout Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones, as well as the closure of all land crossings" on Tuesday.

It said most workers would also be barred from settlements from Sunday, with the exception of industrial zones and a limited number of other areas.

Before the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, more than 100,000 Palestinian workers were permitted to enter Israel. Since then only a small fraction have had their permits restored.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major operation on Friday in response to the killing of two Israeli soldiers by two Palestinian gunmen in an attack on a checkpoint. Three other Israeli soldiers were injured, and the gunmen were also killed.

The Israeli military have been demolishing homes and businesses in the city of Hebron, with hundreds of families having been displaced .

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said about 2,000 residents had been displaced by the operation, which has led to at least one whole street appearing to have been flattened, according to footage shared online.

Even before the entry and exit bans on workers were announced by the IDF on Sunday, the military had cordoned off the city, heavily restricting the movement of its 200,000 residents.

It is common for Israeli forces to demolish the homes of Palestinians who are suspected of carrying out attacks on Israelis in the West Bank - a practice Israeli rights groups have criticised as collective punishment.

Friday's shooting came during a tense time for the region, just days ahead of Israel's election taking place on Tuesday.

In an interview with Israel's i24 television channel released on Saturday, Netanyahu threatened a "very big surprise" for the Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the territory.

Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari said the operation was being "driven by the elections" and that Netanyahu and his ministers were attempting to secure the votes of the far right and the settlers.

On Saturday, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv for a large anti-government demonstration.

The protest was organised by the October Council, a group founded by the families of victims and hostages taken by militants on 7 October 2023, to demand accountability for the failure to prevent the Hamas-led attack.

"Three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event marking three years of struggle to uncover the truth, demand accountability, and establish a state commission of inquiry," the October Council wrote on X ahead of the rally.

The gathering saw the participation of the leaders of the four main opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, the former military chief of staff who is neck and neck with Netanyahu.

Prev Swipe Story Next

Same Story from Other Publications

Compare how 6 other independent news outlets reported on this story.

6 Publications
Al Jazeera English
2h ago
Eisenkot slams Netanyahu’s ‘racist’ campaign against Palestinian Israelis

Eisenkot slams Netanyahu’s ‘racist’ campaign against Palestinian Israelis

Prime ministerial hopeful calls attempts to marginalise and smear Palestinian citizens of Israel 'an anti-state act'.

#election #palestine #israel
Compare →
CNN International
1d ago
Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills at least six, including doctor and child, Palestinian officials say | CNN

Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills at least six, including doctor and child, Palestinian officials say | CNN

The strike killed a 52-year-old doctor and a 13-year-old boy who was supposed to have surgery. A total of 40 people were injured in the Israeli strike.

#israel #palestine
Compare →
ABC News Australia
1d ago
Surgeon among six killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza hospital

Surgeon among six killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza hospital

An Israeli air strike on Nasser Hospital has killed at least six people and injured 20, Palestinian health authorities say.

#israel #palestine
Compare →
Hamro Patro News
1d ago
Palestinian Footballer Mahmoud Kamal Faris Abdel-Malek Killed in Israeli Gaza Attack

Palestinian Footballer Mahmoud Kamal Faris Abdel-Malek Killed in Israeli Gaza Attack

Gaza. The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) has confirmed the death of Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Kamal Faris Abdel-Malek in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. According to the PFA, Abdel-Male...

#israel #palestine
Compare →
NPR News
1d ago
Gaza struck by deadly storm; Israel debates rare coalition with Palestinian citizens : State of the World from NPR

Gaza struck by deadly storm; Israel debates rare coalition with Palestinian citizens : State of the World from NPR

Opponents of Israel’s hardline prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, are trying to oust him by building a new coalition. To do so, they may have to cross a red line drawn by most Israeli parties: work with Arab colleagues.  A devastating single storm compounds the suffering of Gaza’s fourth winter of war. Gaza authorities say more than 20,00 tents were flooded in just two days.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

#israel #palestine
Compare →
The Guardian
1d ago
The Guardian view on Gaza’s misery: don’t let Palestinian deaths mount in this bleak winter | Editorial

The Guardian view on Gaza’s misery: don’t let Palestinian deaths mount in this bleak winter | Editorial

Editorial: The formation of a new Israeli government won’t stop the killing, but sustained international pressure must be applied

#israel #palestine
Compare →

Related Stories

World News
Build #2611