Israel announced it will close all land crossings with the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, the day of its general election. The Israeli army stated that Palestinian workers would be barred from entering most areas of the West Bank from Sunday through Monday, with a complete closure of crossings into and out of the territory enforced on election day.

This decision follows a significant security operation in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron, which was placed under a "full lockdown" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The lockdown was initiated after a Palestinian attack on an Israeli army reserve base on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of two Israeli soldiers and the two Palestinian gunmen.

Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that approximately 2,000 people had been displaced from their homes in Hebron as part of the operation. He stated in an interview that residents would not be permitted to return until "all the Hamas issues in Hebron" were addressed. The Hebron Mayor, Yousef al-Ja’bari, described the situation as a "complete blockade" affecting the city and several neighboring villages, reporting that 2,200 individuals had been forced from their homes by Israeli troops.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, has urged international intervention to protect residents of Hebron. The PA characterized Israel's actions as "collective punishment," pointing to the demolition of homes, forced displacement of neighborhoods, and the "closure and siege of Palestinian cities."

The lockdown in Hebron, the most populous area in the West Bank with approximately 200,000 residents within the city and an additional 600,000 in the wider governorate, has involved soldiers issuing evacuation orders via loudspeakers late at night. This has left residents with minimal time to prepare and limited options for relocation.

The Israeli military has indicated that the operation in Hebron is expected to last several days. Prime Minister Netanyahu's directive for a "full lockdown" suggests a broader scope to the security measures being implemented in response to the attack.

This heightened security measure and closure of crossings come just ahead of a pivotal Israeli election, where Netanyahu's Likud party is facing significant challenges. The election is seen as a critical moment for the Prime Minister, with recent polls indicating a close race.

The situation in Hebron and the broader West Bank highlights the ongoing tensions and the complex security landscape in the region, particularly in the context of Israeli elections and Palestinian unrest.