Hebron Mayor Reports 2,200 Displaced as 800,000 Face West Bank Lockdown

Israeli forces sealed off Hebron and launched sweeping raids across the West Bank on Saturday.

The operations followed a Friday night attack on an Israeli reserve base in Hebron, where two Palestinian gunmen killed two soldiers. Both attackers were also killed in the exchange.

Hebron Mayor Yousef al-Ja'bari stated that 2,200 residents have been forced from their homes. He reported that hundreds of raids occurred since Friday, leaving the city with no entry or exit points on Saturday.

Residents described late-night evacuation orders delivered over loudspeakers, giving families little time to prepare. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a full lockdown of the West Bank in response to the base attack.

Al Jazeera correspondents documented raids in at least 15 locations, including Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. The Palestinian Prisoners' Society reported that Israeli forces arrested approximately 70 Palestinians during these operations. Journalists near the Farsh al-Hawa checkpoint were targeted with a stun grenade while filming a demolition.

The Palestinian Authority described the measures as collective punishment, citing home demolitions and the siege of Palestinian cities. It appealed to the international community to protect residents. About 200,000 people live in the city of Hebron, while another 600,000 reside in the surrounding governorate, making it the most populous area in the West Bank.

Activist Issa Amro said the 800,000 residents are under siege with all exits closed. He noted that no safe hiding places exist within the city. The events unfold days before Israeli parliamentary elections on October 27. Correspondent Nour Odeh reported that politicians are leveraging the attack while trailing in polls. Netanyahu hinted at a significant surprise for the PA without confirming plans to dismantle the governing body.