West Bank land crossings closed ahead of election day

Israel's military has announced that all West Bank land crossings will be closed on election day, Tuesday, effectively barring Palestinian workers from entering settlements across the region.

This decision is part of a broader crackdown in the occupied West Bank following an attack by Palestinian gunmen that left two Israeli soldiers dead and three others injured. The Israel Defense Forces have implemented a ban on the entry and exit of Palestinian workers throughout Judea and Samaria, as well as the Jordan Valley, including industrial zones.

The restrictions are expected to significantly impact the daily lives of thousands of Palestinian workers who had previously been permitted to enter Israel for work. Before the October 7 attack, more than 100,000 Palestinian workers held permits to enter Israel; however, only a small fraction have had their permits reinstated since then.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced a major operation in response to the killing of two Israeli soldiers, which he described as a significant escalation in violence. The military's decision to close West Bank crossings and bar Palestinian workers from entering settlements is part of this broader effort to tighten security measures in the region.

The Israeli military has been intensifying its presence in Hebron, a city in the West Bank, by demolishing homes and businesses, displacing hundreds of families. According to Defence Minister Israel Katz, approximately 2,000 residents have been affected by this operation, which has led to significant damage to infrastructure. Footage shared online shows that at least one entire street appears to be flattened as a result of the demolition.

The city's residents are already facing severe restrictions on their movement, with Israeli forces having cordoned off Hebron and limiting the freedom of its 200,000 inhabitants. This is part of a broader effort by the military to control the flow of people in and out of the region. The entry and exit bans announced by the IDF on Sunday have further exacerbated this situation.

The Israeli military's actions are not unusual, as it has long been a practice for them to demolish homes belonging to Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks against Israelis. However, human rights groups have criticized this approach as an example of collective punishment. This tactic is seen as disproportionate and inhumane by many observers.

Hebron Mayor Youssef al-Jaabari believes that the operation is being driven by electoral considerations, with Prime Minister Netanyahu attempting to secure votes from the far right and settlers ahead of Israel's election on Tuesday.

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday for a massive anti-government protest, organized by the October Council, a group formed by families affected by the 2023 Hamas-led attack.

The October Council, which has been pushing for accountability and truth, announced that it would hold its "culminating event" three days before the election to mark three years of struggle. This rally saw participation from leaders of the four main opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief of staff who is currently in a tight race with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

The protest and the growing presence of the October Council indicate that the Israeli public is increasingly dissatisfied with the government's handling of security issues.